Surrey Archaeological Society

Excavation of part of the earthwork known as Little Pickle by R J Poulton for SCC and British Industrial Sand Ltd, in advance of sand extraction, revealed that the bank and ditch of this rectangular earthwork were probably constructed in the late 15th century. Large quantities of roof tile from trenches within the earthwork suggest the presence of buildings there. Outside the earthwork, some 50m to the south, building foundations were discovered.

Excavation by D J Turner continued; a possibly late 11th century construction date is now suggested by the pottery.

Trial excavation by C H Cole for the Surrey Heath Group of SyAS produced evidence of occupation from the 13th/14th centuries to the present. Finds included a nearly complete late 16th century shoe. (184) In further excavation the earliest levels seen were a medieval trampled layer cut by a boundary and/or drainage ditch and by a 16th century building of two phases which was demolished in the mid-17th century.

Recording by T C Welsh of rectangular dry-moated enclosure and annexe, possibly an early site of Bagshot Manor. The main enclosure is 73 x 38m internally, with banks 4 to 7m broad and ditches approx 6m wide; the annexe is 83 x 25m and mutilated. (184)

Mammoth teeth and tusk and bones of woolly rhinoceros found in gravel extraction and reported by J J Chapman. Also found was a nearly complete pot, 3rd/4th century AD, presumably originally associated with a burial.

Beginning of major excavation by M G O’Connell for SCC, Hall Aggregates (Thames Valley) Ltd and DoE with assistance from the Manpower Services Commission via the Community Task Force. Initial work concentrated on the cursus in the north-east corner of the field.

Site watching of topsoil removal before gravel extraction by J J Chapman for SAFG revealed no features and only two flints and one fragment of RB pottery.

Fieldwalking by SAFG revealed no finds of note.

Small-scale excavation was carried out by D W Williams for HAG around the Golf Club house, supposedly the site from which came the well-known waster jug. Only eight sherds of medieval pottery were found. (183)

Site watching of chancel reflooring by R J Poulton, M G O’Connell and D W Williams revealed no medieval features, but reused probably medieval floor tiles were noted.