Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation and archaeological monitoring by K Bower and W Perkins of PCA on an extension to a retail store revealed late medieval or early post-medieval features in the form of pits, a gully and possible occupation layers, one of which was formed of compacted chalk and sealed the gully. Subsequent monitoring of the groundworks revealed a short section of a poorly built 19th or 20th century wall, and post-medieval domestic refuse pits, one of which cut two substantial, but similarly dated, postholes.

Evaluation by W Weller of SCAU revealed deep levels of made-ground comprising a high percentage of industrial slag and ash as well as sand, brick, stone and 20th century household waste. The results show that deep excavations had been conducted across most of the site prior to the construction of the football ground in the early 1950s. There was no indication of the projected route of Stane Street, sometimes postulated to cross the site, although the depth of disturbance would probably have removed any evidence if it had been present.

A third phase of evaluation by G Anelay of WSA, following two unproductive phases by OAS in 2014, revealed modern land drains that pre-dated the existing golf course and a probable modern drainage ditch but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Watching brief by S Nelson of SyAS during the excavation of foundations revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by Z Pozorski of AS revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Archaeological monitoring by F Pemberton of SyAS during groundworks for an extension, west of the Roman road Stane Street, revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Excavation by L Spencer of SyAS. Following the observations of archaeological deposits in construction trenches, a series of at least three tile-on-edge hearths were revealed. The tiles of the main hearth were laid in a north–south orientation and were bounded to the east by a single course of bricks, to the north by a line of retaining tiles and had clearly defined southern and western edges, but with no retaining structures. Further evidence of burning below the upper main hearth, two insubstantial walls and floor levels comprising packed chalk and clay were also revealed.

A third season of excavation by L Spencer of SyAS on the postulated site of Bookham Courte revealed an extension to the demolition layer initially uncovered in 2014 (SyAC 99, 224). It was found to overlay a succession of sterile layers above the remnants of a packed chalk floor, itself partially overlying an extensive area of flint cobbles that may relate to the ‘Great Yarde’ referred to in a 1616 description of Bookham Courte.

Further excavation by the Roman Studies Group of SyAS, directed by D Bird and E Corke, in the field to the north-east of the Scheduled villa, exposed the north-east corner of a Roman enclosure. Its east–west oriented boundary consisted of substantial ditches, while there were seven successive parallel north–south boundaries, spaced 1–2m apart. They included palisades, a beamslot and posthole arrangement, ditches and probable hedges.

Evaluation by K Bower of PCA revealed no archaeological finds or features.