Surrey Archaeological Society

Fieldwalking in March organised by D G Bird and A Miller for SCC located a major concentration of medieval pottery. Excavation later in the year in this area led to the discovery of part of a medieval building with a tile-built hearth. It was cut by two ‘drains’ constructed of re-used tiles and bricks and possibly originally intended as irrigation channels.

Fieldwalking by Mayford History Society after shallow-ploughing, reported by Nancy Hawkins; nothing of significance noted.

Observation of topsoil removal for an oil drilling site, by D G Bird for SCC, proved negative.

Recording by L Draper of a previously unknown iron-working furnace site relating to the West End bay, revealed in roadworks. A clay area about 3m long and 1m high was seen in section, containing highly burnt 5cm thick bricks and flanked by rough sandstone blocks still in situ. (183 and SIHG 15)

Trial trenching by K D Graham for Farnham Museum Society in advance of development near the known RB site was negative.

Excavation by K D Graham and Anna Mercer for the Farnham Museum Society and Waverley District Council of a probably 17th century tile kiln producing a variety of tiles. (actually medieval)

Pottery from the medieval earthwork has now been deposited at the East Surrey Museum. Lesley Ketteringham reports that study of some of the pottery by Southampton University shows it to be earlier than the known building within the enclosure (c 1150-1350); a 6th/7th century date is suggested. (182)

Excavation by M Russell for the Bourne Society on a site located by R Williams in fieldwork. The probable Mesolithic ground surface was identified, and c 6000 pieces of flint were recovered.

Small-scale excavation by M G O’Connell and R J Poulton for SCC to test the section of buried ditch most likely to be disturbed by roadworks. The ditch was located but no dating evidence to aid interpretation of the enigmatic earthwork was recovered.

Over 70 sherds of Beaker pottery, including both fine and coarse wares, recovered by M Russell. They probably represent occupation activity. (179)