Surrey Archaeological Society

Excavation by Lesley Howes for the Painshill Park Trust continued, in conjunction with the scheme to restore the 18th century landscape garden. Several follies were examined in 1983/4: the Temple of Bacchus was rediscovered, the Grotto was cleared and its water circulating system re-established, and the Mausoleum's floor was recorded. In 1985 work was concentrated on the Hermitage, the Turkish Tent and the Water Wheel (original site). Many other trenches established aspects of the former landscape such as shrubberies, paths and lawns. (202)

P M G Jones noted Tudor pottery from a site adjacent to the church.

Shallow pits tentatively suggested by Richard Williams to be filled-in bell pits from which ore was extracted for nearby Vachery iron working site. (227)

Excavation by Judie English and K D Graham for WAAC in advance of the construction of the relief road indicated that the land in this area was under cultivation prior to the 19th century. Finds included medieval and later sherds and a trade token issued by Thomas Lusher of Chiddingfold in 1668. (224)

Excavation and observation by K D Graham for FDMS in advance of redevelopment. A few RB and medieval sherds were found in trial trenching, and several pits and ditches of late to post-medieval date were observed in development. One large ditch running north-west–south-east may be part of hastily-erected Civil War defences. It had apparently been rapidly backfilled, and contained pottery consistent with a mid-17th century date. (227)

Resistivity survey by FDMS, reported by K D Graham. Results seemed to indicate an 8m wide ditch running east to west to the south of the south front of the Castle and turning north round its east side (fig 2). It is probably the dry ditch referred to in medieval documents. Three possible structures were also located: one east of Fox's Tower; one possibly a turret on the curtain wall and one near the existing gatehouse. (224)

Field walking by LTRC recovered two Palaeolithic hand axes and some flakes.

Third season of excavation by G H Cole for Surrey Heath Group of SyAS. Discoveries included several 1st and 2nd century ditches and IA and RB pottery.

Further work on site was carried out by G H Cole for Surrey Heath Group of SyAS. A further length of a ditch seen in 1983 was Located; it contained several sherds of grass or chaff-tempered pottery. Also found was evidence for a well-preserved timber post and plank building of AD 1250 to 1350 replaced by a late 14th century post-built structure (partially seen in 1984/85). A complete wooden barrel, set in puddled clay, was thought to underlie the levels dated 1250-1350, and beneath it was found a complete wooden bowl. More information was gained about the 17th century tavern (?

Site watching by R J Poulton and P M G Jones for SCC and Tarmac Roadstone Ltd located some prehistoric features. Two sets of important finds were made during extraction, apparently coming from a buried river channel. They were five complete 3rd/4th century RB pewter plates (fig 1) and three iron swords, one without its hilt, one with a bone handle of uncertain date, and one considered to be of Petersen type L, dated AD 840-90,