Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by N Brennan of WA within four areas of a proposed mineral extraction site that appeared to contain a possible 19th century mill site and a possible sub-circular enclosure. No evidence of the mill site was revealed, but the evaluation confirmed the presence of the large sub-oval enclosure on a slightly raised area of ground. The enclosure survived as a ditch, with no traces of a bank, and was identified in three of the evaluation trenches. The ditch contained a small quantity of Middle-Late Bronze Age pottery.

Watching brief by K Grant of ASE led to the exposure of two linear features, probably representative of early field or boundary ditches. It was not possible to excavate either feature, and both will be preserved in situ below developmental impact.

Evaluation by C Barton of LP. No finds or features pre-dating the 18th century were revealed, although evidence for ground-raising was noted that might have resulted in preservation at greater depths.

Watching brief by E Jeffry of CA. Despite the work taking place within the area of the Chertsey Abbey Scheduled Monument, no finds or features of archaeological significance were revealed due to the limited nature of the groundworks being undertaken. A standing wall was also recorded prior to its demolition as part of this exercise, parts of which were concluded to have been constructed from re-used abbey building materials.

Evaluation by C Edwards of AOC. A buried soil layer was examined that contained a small quantity of post-medieval pottery and a clay pipe fragment, but no features of archaeological significance were revealed.

Soil stripping, mapping and sampling by I Howell of MOLA, continuing work that commenced in 2010. Two additional Roman-period urned cremation burials were revealed, as well as a probable Middle Bronze Age vessel, and a shallow gully of indeterminate date. Further areas investigated as part of the phase II investigations showed a lack of prehistoric or Roman activity, although some limited post-medieval evidence in the form of shallow gullies and pits was observed.

Watching brief by N Randall of SCAU during redevelopment across the hospital grounds revealed the heavily truncated remains of a large Middle Bronze Age urn, a vessel type found in both funerary and settlement contexts.

Evaluation by S Thompson of WA. A ditch containing Late Bronze Age pottery and a waterlain soil deposit characteristic of either a river channel or flood plain suggest the site is located within a well-preserved and rich prehistoric landscape.

Evaluation by C Russel of ASE revealed that the site had been previously stripped and levelled almost certainly during construction of the works, and no finds or features of archaeological interest were discovered.

Evaluation by D and G Trimble of APS. A ditch was revealed that contained a significant quantity of Middle-Late Iron Age pottery. Further features found included additional ditches and a pit, all of which contained burnt flint and evidence for ironworking in the form of furnace lining, slag and hammerscale - both flake and spheroidal. The results are highly suggestive of an Iron Age domestic settlement site with associated metalworking being present in the vicinity, which, if confirmed by more extensive investigations, could potentially be of regional significance.