Surrey Archaeological Society

Excavation by R Savage of SyAS on an area of collapsed ground revealed only modern made-ground, with indications of repeated episodes of infilling. A test pit excavated to the north revealed recent levelling. Owing to the depth of deposits, the natural sand/gravel was not reached in either excavation.

Watching brief by M Saywood of SCAU. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed. Within the area of the memorial pool the anticipated former grave cuts were not seen.

Geotechnical watching brief by S Flaherty of WA. No archaeological features were revealed, although a number of test pits suggested undisturbed archaeological horizons may be present.

Evaluation by S Reynish of COT revealed a number of ditches and a possible pit or tree-throw hollow. The larger ditches were aligned parallel to existing field boundaries, which could suggest these are former field boundaries, with the smaller ditches as internal drainage gullies or enclosures. For the most part these features remained undated, and the only find recovered – a Late Iron Age or Romano-British loomweight fragment – was considered to be residual.

Evaluation by J Condliffe of COT revealed evidence of post-medieval field boundary ditches and a tree-throw hollow together with evidence of extensive quarrying related to the use of the site as a tile works.

Evaluation by M Nichol of COT revealed medieval land drains and a small undated pit, possibly a hearth, beneath redeposited clay, probably the result of previous landscaping.

Geophysical survey by ASE showed that evidence for archaeological features was sparse, although several linear and discrete anomalies of possible archaeological origin were detected. Linear anomalies representing former agricultural activity across the areas currently under cultivation, indicate the continued use of the site as arable land. Some areas of strong magnetic disturbance were thought to possibly mask underlying features with a weaker magnetic signature.

Watching brief by I Hogg of ASE revealed a 19th century field boundary ditch shown on historic maps. A probable planting pit was also recorded.

The first of two phases of excavation by N Randall of SCAU following evaluation revealed part of a previously unknown, early medieval, Christian burial ground across much of the higher ground on the east of the site. The graveyard, presumably originally part of the nearby St Peter and Paul’s church, appears to have gone out of use in the medieval period. The lack of later intrusive burials makes it a rare and important discovery.

A watching brief by S Porter of TVAS following earlier evaluation revealed a range of archaeological deposits from the medieval through to late post-medieval periods. The earliest evidence was a medieval pit with sparse medieval pottery. More complex deposits of post-medieval date including walls, floors, a probable well and a cesspit were also revealed.