Excavation and watching brief by D Swift of ASE. Extensive evidence for Middle to Late Iron Age settlement was revealed to the south of the Burstow Stream, including a rare double-ring gully and post-built structure of a possible ritual nature. An apparent hiatus in occupation occurred until re-settlement in the 1st century AD, although field systems elsewhere on the site showed evidence for continuity. A further hiatus in occupation was noted until activity resumed in the late 2nd–early 3rd centuries AD.

Excavation by D Whittaker and A Margetts of ASE, continuing from previous evaluation and excavations in 2007. Limited archaeological material was revealed, with the majority of the predominantly Iron Age and Roman finds being recovered from a layer of colluvium. Some fairly unabraded Neolithic material was also recovered from this layer, suggesting possible rapid deposition, although the presence of early medieval material also suggests some later disturbance, possibly through ploughing.

A third season of excavation was undertaken by D Bird for the Roman Studies Group of SyAS in 2008, the results of which allow both a better identification of at least basic phases of the villa site, with stratified pottery and other finds to provide dating, and a clearer understanding of information in A W G Lowther’s reports. Further magnetometer and topographical surveys were carried out by ASE and these hinted at features crossing one of the three trenches opened, but nothing was found that related to them.

A programme of investigation comprising historic building recording and excavation of inhumations by S Watson of PCA, was undertaken after partial demolition of the current vestry, and the subsequent ground reduction of the site prior to the construction of a new enlarged vestry and during associated drainage works. After the demolition of the vestry (presumed to have been constructed in 1823 with later alterations), the lower part of the northern exterior wall of the chancel was exposed.

Soil stripping, mapping and sampling by D King of FA of a site close to the river Mole proposed for a new games area. The work revealed three linear features and a possible pit cut into the top of an alluvial layer present across the site. The dominating linear feature was up to 9m wide and possibly represented a trackway of medieval or post-medieval date. A stony layer running along its edge pre-dated the feature, and the Saxon pottery sherd contained within this layer may be either residual or date it to that period.

A series of fieldwork projects by N Cowlard and members of the SyAS Roman Studies Group around Cocks Farm villa to investigate it within its rural context. A metal detector survey of the field to the north and east of the villa recovered one piece of curved and decorated copper alloy that may have been part of a Romano-British decorative furniture fitting, although none of a number of lead and iron finds recovered could be attributed to the Romano-British period. Romano-British pottery and worked flint was also recovered.

Excavation of a trench by N Cowlard and E Corke, together with members of the SyAS Roman Studies Group, designed to relocate the trench that Charles Darwin cut through the villa in 1877 and so fix the location of the four or five rooms exposed at the time, the location of which were not determined in the 1995–7 SyAS excavation of the site. The excavation added to the evidence for the villa from previous work, but there was nothing to suggest that Darwin’s trench had been located. (416)

Evaluation by D Calow of SyAS revealed a number of ditches containing 2nd and 3rd century AD pottery, together with evidence for ironworking.

Watching brief by G Rapson of MOLA during underground cabling works. An area of Bronze Age activity in the form of a layer containing pottery and worked flints was revealed, as well as four undated field ditches and an apparent flint structure – also undated. A limited programme of fieldwork carried out concurrently nearby provided further evidence for prehistoric activity, as well as occasional Roman pottery.

Fieldwalking by SyAS and EEHAS, under the direction of N Cowlard, of a number of fields in the area as part of the Ewell Hinterland Project. Two coins and one small pottery sherd of possible Roman date were recovered together with a little post-medieval pottery. (423)