Surrey Archaeological Society

Two phases of evaluation by S Mounce of WA in in advance of flood protection, landscaping, tip remediation and redevelopment alongside the Hoe Stream. The first phase revealed a significant depth of alluvial deposits, late 19th and early 20th artefacts likely to have been washed up and deposited by the Hoe in a trench closest to the modern path of the stream, but no deposits of archaeological interest. The second phase revealed alluvial layers within all of the trenches, confirming that the site historically lay within the floodplain.

Evaluation by J Martin of WA revealed nothing of archaeological interest in the majority of trenches, but one trench within the north of the site and close to an area where previous fieldwalking had recovered a concentration of Bronze Age material revealed two ditches which it was not possible to date and a small pit that contained a sherd of pottery dated to the Iron Age. These features may represent the periphery of any potential archaeological focus present to the north.

Geophysical survey by S Haddrell of Stratascan along the 28km route of a proposed replacement pipeline between Godstone and Tonbridge in Kent. Magnetic susceptibility was undertaken along the route, with areas of potential interest identified targeted with a detailed gradiometer survey. Positive anomalies, possibly of archaeological origin, within the Surrey section included linear features that may be associated with a post-medieval trackway. The anomalies were targeted during a subsequent evaluation by D Britchfield of WA.

Evaluation by N Randall of SCAU revealed a large tree throw hole containing Mesolithic flint, a substantial prehistoric ditch, Bronze Age and Iron Age gullies, a large medieval pit and a post-medieval stone capped culvert. The evaluation illustrated that archaeological deposits lie at a depth that will not be impacted on by the majority of groundworks involved in the development proposal, and they will be preserved in situ underneath it. Those parts of the site where the development had the potential to impact on deposits were subject to a watching brief by N Randall.

Evaluation by C Turner of HN revealed evidence of extensive modern terracing but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

First phase of the evaluation of this site by Z Pozorski of AS revealed a pit and ditch. Although it may be residual, a fragment of Neolithic or Bronze Age struck flint was recovered from the pit. A subsequent monitoring exercise during development did not reveal any further archaeological finds or features. A second phase of evaluation revealed an undated ditch.

Programme of fieldwalking by S Ford of TVAS recovered a dense cluster of struck flint located on the terrace edge of a small stream valley. The cluster comprises a strong Mesolithic component, although later Neolithic/Bronze Age material is well represented. Flint in more modest quantities and pottery sherds of several periods were also recovered dispersed elsewhere across the areas fieldwalked.

Evaluation by D Hopkinson of ASE revealed the remains of a mid 19th century farmstead building, possibly an open sided barn, and a number of pits likely to be for refuse disposal from a similar period. The building had been built over an earlier infilled sandstone quarry cut. Residual pottery and ceramic building material of medieval date recovered from the topsoil and subsoil suggest that there may have been some activity on the site prior to the 19th century, although it is more likely that the ceramics were brought on to the site during manuring.

Watching brief by T Munnery of SCAU during construction of an artificial pitch on and adjoining the Scheduled Caesar’s Camp, following evaluation in 2008. The design of the pitch was changed after the evaluation to maximise the preservation in situ of deposits indicated to be present, with the majority of the impact of the development not extending below the subsoil.

Evaluation by S Porteus of ASE undertaken following geophysical survey by D Elks of Stratascan. The geophysics revealed that the majority of the site appears to be dominated by anomalies likely to be related to its current land use as rugby pitches, but it also revealed responses that may relate to archaeological deposits. The evaluation involved the excavation of trenches around the rugby pitches and revealed a boundary ditch of probable post-medieval date, a shallow gully and evidence of plough scarring.