Surrey Archaeological Society

Excavation (1976) by K. Crouch for London and Middlesex Archaeological Society and DOE revealed a RB occupation site, with first and 2nd century timber buildings, a mid 2nd century well and an east-west ditch south of the buildings.

Excavation by R.J. Poulton for SyAS and DOE revealed a sequence of timber buildings starting probably in the 12th century, to the late 16th century and followed by at least seven phases of brick-built structures through to the late 19th century. It should be possible to establish a pottery sequence from the 12th to the 19th century. (146; check SyAC 85)

Salvage work and excavation (1978) by D.M. Longley and S.P. Needham for SyAS and DOE of a site discovered by D.M. Barker revealed two major levels: Neolithic sealed by flood deposits on which was a Later BA site associated with timber piles forming a waterfront. There were many finds including two polished axes, much LBA pottery and bone and a possible wooden cup. 'Environmental' samples of major importance were recovered. (152) (Current Archaeol 6 262-7)

Excavation (1976) by D.M. Longley for SyAS and DOE of a Later BA site produced several occupation features and pottery, bronze implements, bone worked and unworked (including antler cheek pieces) and other artefacts. (127) (London Archaeol 3, 10-17; full report in SyAS Res Vol 6)

Excavation by M.G. O'Connell for SyAS and DOE located an Early/Middle BA ditch, a LBA ditch containing a 78 piece bronze hoard (including a variety of weapons, tools, vessels, and ornamental attachments, and much pottery in the levels above), two parallel RB ditches (one a palisade trench?) probably of the later first century and part of a RB roadside ditch containing a coin of Constantine, part of a medieval ditch containing 12th century pottery and bone, and several later features. (138) Excavation was also continued on one part of the site by D.M.

Trial excavation by D.M. Longley for SyAS and DOE revealed only one sherd of RB pottery and no features.

Aerial photographs and ground survey by R.L. Ellaby revealed two dark soil marks with occupation debris, probably a 13th/14th century farm complex. (143)

Trial excavation (1977) by D.W. Williams for Holmesdale Archaeological Group, Reigate and Banstead Archaeological Co-ordination Committee and SyAS revealed features of 12th century date, and later medieval and more modern features. Further excavation by D.W. Williams and by D.G. Bird for SyAS and DOE revealed a large part of the plan of the medieval and later vicarage. (140 and 151)

Excavation by D.W. Williams for Holmesdale Archaeological Group and SyAS (second season, 1975-6) located part of a 13th century building probably demolished in the 16th century, cut by a well or soakaway filled in in the 17th century, and an 18th century pit. South of this building was a revetted ditch filled in probably in the early 14th century, and traces of a possible outbuilding demolished in the 16th century. Other late finds were made. (128)

Excavation by D.W. Williams for Holmesdale Archaeological Group and Reigate and Banstead Archaeological Co-ordination Committee located a possible stream or ditch, probably the boundary between town and Priory. It was backfilled in one operation c1590. (133) (See also above, pp 175-90)