Surrey Archaeological Society

Community Archaeology Project, as part of Caterham Arts Festival, involving the excavation of a four test pits by members of the public under the supervision of A Guinness of SCAU.

Three further phases of excavation by P Jones and R Lambert of SCAU adjacent to areas previously investigated. The first phase undertaken in the summer of 2011 was to the immediate west of the area investigated in 2009. The range and character of the archaeological features present were closely similar to those identified in 2009. The features included three Mesolithic pits (which were 100% sampled and sieved for flintwork), an early medieval pit oddly sited out on the Gault clay, and a continuation of the late medieval/ early post-medieval roadway identified during the work in 2005.

Evaluation by S Stevens of ASE recovered a single flint flake from the topsoil of one of the trenches.

Excavation by M Williams of WA revealed evidence of a substantial walled structure possibly associated with two parallel boundary walls, and the remains of a possible fish pond, 200m north of the inner gatehouse of Bletchingley Place, the property given by Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce settlement. The suggestion is that the structure may be a northern gatehouse leading from the walled gardens surrounding Bletchingley Place into the deer park to the north.

Historic building assessment by M Higgins of SCC of the probable mid/late 17th century building.

Historic building assessment by M Higgins of SCC of a high-status cross-wing (of 1425-50 date) to a medieval open hall that stood to the east.

Completion of watching brief begun in 2010 by N Randall of SCAU that revealed a series of broad ditches that may represent land boundaries pre-dating the construction of Pendell Court on the site in c1624, and finds of Mesolithic, Neolithic or Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval date.

Watching brief by T Munnery of SCAU following evaluation in 2008 that had exposed the foundations of the church and three burials in the area of a proposed vestry. Parts of 60 inhumations and two cremations, all of Christian origin, and mostly thought to date from the previous 150 years were revealed, excavated and removed for later reburial elsewhere within the grounds of the church. Two pieces of pottery, dated to the medieval and Roman periods, were recovered from the subsoil and a grave fill respectively.

Geophysical survey by J Adcock of GSB Prospection Ltd and two phases of evaluation by V Hughes and S Leech of OAS of an area proposed for mineral extraction. The geophysics revealed a series of linear anomalies that may be small enclosures; strong responses that suggest the presence of fired materials or ferrous-rich deposits, and numerous linear trends thought to be of agricultural origin.

Historic building recording by M Higgins of SCC of the complex timber-framed central-chimney house (of 1625-50 date) with four-bay front range, one-bay rear face wing and stair vice, with integral attics and basement. To this three further timber-framed sections (of early and late 18th century date) had been added.