Surrey Archaeological Society

Watching brief by J Warrender, L McCaig and G Santa Maria of WA during stripping of topsoil and subsoil over several areas, encompassing c 2ha, revealed multiple features including cremation burials, pits, postholes and linear features. The cremations comprised both urned and unurned burials, provisionally dated to the Bronze Age. A number of short lengths of ditch were also recorded although they did not appear to form any coherent boundary to the mortuary activity. The cremations were generally dispersed across the area though small clusters were observed.

Watching brief by J Cook of Border Archaeology of a pipeline easement extending 90m into Surrey, revealed no finds or features of archaeological significance. The pipeline crossed the county boundary, also thought to be the medieval boundary of Windsor Forest, but the extant earthwork bank is probably modern in origin.

Geophysical survey by J Smith of WA demonstrated the presence of anomalies of possible archaeological significance (primarily ditch-like features), former field boundaries, ploughing trends, areas of increased magnetic response and superficial geology.

Watching brief by S Wilson of COT during geotechnical test pitting associated with the proposed redevelopment of Princess Royal Barracks. No archaeological features were identified within the test pits although they did reveal information about the character of the made-ground across the site, particularly in the south in the area once occupied by the military railway.

Evaluation by H Nicholls of ASE was devoid of archaeological finds and features with extensive truncation from 20th century landscaping, levelling and modern services in evidence.

Evaluation by P Stephenson of ASE revealed evidence for late post-medieval activity in the form of landscape or garden features within the grounds of Sunbury Manor.

Evaluation by N Wells of FA revealed no finds or features of archaeological significance

Watching brief by L McCaig of WA recorded no archaeological finds or features although the natural geology was not reached owing to the depth of modern disturbance and the limited extent of the impact of the development.

Evaluation by P Kehoe of AOC within a car park north of the studios produced no finds or features of archaeological significance.

A third phase of excavation by K Welsh of OA in advance of continued mineral extraction, revealed a considerable degree of truncation, previously noted across the site (SyAC 99, 232) that became increasingly marked towards the west. As a result, few archaeological features survived in the Phase 3 area other than a sparse scatter of more deeply cut pits, one of which, probably a waterhole, produced a socketed copper-alloy axe of the Sompting type, variant Cardiff II. The type dates from between c 800 and 600 BC and is found throughout much of southern England, the Midlands and South Wales.