Surrey Archaeological Society

An archaeological evaluation by G Anelay of WSA revealed two tree-throw hollows and a scattering of medieval to modern artefacts, but no features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by I Hogg of ASE revealed a single post-medieval pit or ditch terminal and confirmed that much of the north and centre of the site had been disturbed during the construction and subsequent demolition of the former building.

Evaluation by D Bray of TVAS. Previous work in the 1950s identified medieval structural remains related to the manor of Preston Hawe. Despite the known archaeological potential of the site there was no evidence of archaeological deposits or artefacts. It would therefore appear that following the original archaeological investigations the area was horizontally truncated and all archaeological material removed.

Evaluation by T Munnery of SCAU revealed residual Mesolithic and Neolithic flintwork, a number of probable Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age ditches and medieval or post-medieval quarry/dene holes. The character of the ditches suggests they form part of a field system rather than a settlement enclosure.

Evaluation by A Taylor of TVAS identified a single ditch at the western end of the site dating to the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period, which could possibly be related to the first phase of the Scheduled villa complex to the west of the site (a ‘pre-villa phase’).

Evaluation by W Weller of the SCAU, adjacent to the Scheduled villa excavated by A W G Lowther, recovered large floor or wall tiles, samian pottery and a mortarium of Gaulish origin from subsoils and spoil heaps. A small number of pits and postholes, of probable1st–4th century date were revealed.

A topographic survey by R Hooker and J Newell for the Prehistoric Group of SyAS recorded an earthwork formed of a broad shallow ditch, to the south of a wide low bank. The bank had a series of protuberances on its north side. Towards the east they were regularly spaced at about 8–10m intervals. The feature presently measures c 450m in length but was probably truncated at its eastern end, without recording, by the construction of the M25. (Bulletin 446)

Evaluation and subsequent excavation by G Dawkes of ASE along the c17km route, from Buckland Pumping Station in the west to the Outwood Reservoir in the east. Two sites of particular archaeological significance were identified: a prehistoric and Roman site in the vicinity of Buckland village, immediately south of the A25, and a medieval site located to the north of Buckland, adjacent to Glebe House on Rectory Lane.

Magnetometry survey and evaluation by R Hooker of SyAS exposed a length of a narrow ditch truncated by ploughing. The ditch was filled with a burnt deposit containing large quantities of heavily burnt bone and a considerable quantity of pottery sherds, provisionally dated as Late Iron Age and early Roman. Further magnetometry and excavation work is planned to determine the extent of the archaeological features. (Bulletin 449)

Watching brief by E Brants and T Howe of SCC recorded the disarticulated remains of at least five individuals as well as at least three burials in vaults. One burial had an ornately decorated, lead-lined wooden coffin, once covered with velvet; its lead and brass name plates identified the individual as Henry Wight Esq, Lord of the Manor of Brockham who died on 12 September 1793, aged 65. Wight’s vault was constructed over an earlier, unnamed coffin burial and a second vault contained another coffin burial, again unnamed.