Surrey Archaeological Society

A sixth season of excavation in 2013 directed by D Calow for the Roman Studies Group of SyAS. Excavation established that the northern end of an aisled structure, found in 2012, did not extend beyond the limit previously established. It appears to have been a six-bay structure, c 14m long x 8m wide with four rows of seven posts. A lack of building materials suggests either that the structure had been systematically dismantled, or more likely was of a design that left no ground impact beyond its postholes.

Evaluation by P Jones of SCAU. No finds or features of archaeological significance were revealed.

Archaeological excavation by A Thorne of ASE revealed the north-west corner of a Romano-British ditched enclosure and probable outlying fields and paddocks. The enclosure contained several pits and possible postholes as well as probable evidence for tree clearance. The quantities of recovered Roman pottery suggest the presence of a single domicile or farmstead during the 1st century AD. The majority of the settlement site is considered to lie to the east, outside the site boundary.

Evaluation by D Platt of TVAS revealed archaeological deposits mainly located on the eastern side of the site. With the exception of a single pit that contained evidence of ironworking and pottery of Iron Age date, the datable features were from the medieval and post-medieval periods. A large percentage of the pottery recovered was Coarse Border ware, including waster sherds, which suggested manufacturing was taking place in the vicinity, although no kiln was found.

Evaluation by S Stevens of ASE. No finds or features of archaeological significance were revealed.

Geophysical survey by J Slater and J Jones of Stratascan. A single linear feature was located along the western edge of the site and was interpreted as a modern utility trench. Other anomalies were also thought to have modern origins including ferrous objects in the topsoil and magnetic disturbance related to field boundaries and fences.

Evaluation by T Black of OA. Evidence of activity of several periods was found, mostly at the north end of the site. A buried soil covering at least 40m2 was found on the west side of the site that contained a mixture of struck flints of Mesolithic and Bronze Age date. The presence of flints of two dates in the same layer suggests this may have been a colluvial layer containing material derived from further upslope. To the east, a small pit contained undiagnostic struck flints that may be of earlier prehistoric date.

Evaluation by L McGaig of WA revealed a palaeochannel and a recent ditch. No palaeoarchaeological remains were identified within the channel.

A second season of excavation by The Church Meadow Project, supported by SyAS and EEHAS and directed by N Cowlard, re-opened the 2012 trench and extended it by a further 30m. Plough damage had removed almost all features above Roman ground level although a previously encountered large pit was found to cut the remains of two Roman wells. The earlier well was roughly square with the shadow of a plank lining and a wooden cask incorporated into its construction, and was cut by the later well. An associated, substantial flint-lined pit or posthole may have supported a windlass.