Surrey Archaeological Society

Observation of building works by E Crossland for LDLHS allowed examination of foundations of existing building and recovery of a worked greensand block, probably part of a window surround from the Elizabethan house previously on the site.

Trial excavation by R J Poulton for SCC, Bredero and Mole Valley DC in advance of redevelopment was followed by excavation by G N Hayman. Three 1st-2nd century RB ditches were found, one small with much pottery and building material, the others more substantial, one being about 2.5m wide and running north-south. There was also evidence for 14 human burials probably of early medieval date. A ditch to the east is likely to have marked the original limit of burials, replaced probably in the late 13th century by the present boundary line of the graveyard. (235, 241, 248)

Initial phases of the Surrey Historic Landscape Project included fieldwalking in this area by S P Dyer and Judie English for SyAS. Finds in 1989 were mostly flintwork with a little pottery.

Clearance after tree loss in 1987 storm observed by D J Field, D W Williams, D G Bird and others. No finds were noted but the conditions were difficult. Geophysical survey was later carried out by S P Dyer for SCC and HBMC and various anomalies were noted. This work was followed by the excavation of three trenches by R J Poulton to provide information on which site management decisions could be based. Two trenches on sloping ground produced nothing of interest; the third, on the top of the hill, revealed IA and RB pottery and features including an IA ditch running approximately east-west.

Site watching by E Crossland for LDLHS revealed nothing of interest from a site known to have produced a few RB sherds in the past.

Report by D J Field and K Winser of fieldwalking project on a transect 1km by 10km set across the geological grain. Nearly 200ha of woodland were walked; particularly noted were a large number of quarries on the Hythe Beds. It is suggested that some could be early, perhaps RB. Systematic walking of nearly 100ha of ploughed land produced an estimated 25,000 pieces of flint coming from throughout the area. (230) Pottery suggesting a RB occupation site was discovered in the Abinger area; only sandstone blocks and a few sherds were found on the known villa site.

Large pieces of greensand and some 20 pieces of RB tile found in root plate of fallen tree and recorded by Judie English. It is suggested that the pond is related to medieval enclosures and the tile and greensand represents paving to protect its edges from erosion. (231)

Survey of medieval field systems carried out by Judie English. A bank was sectioned for environmental analysis; it had a small ditch under it apparently too large to be merely for marking out. No clear evidence for early land surfaces survived. Continuing damage by treasure hunters to the RB temple site was noted.

Small-scale excavations were undertaken by D Batchelor for HBMC to check for plough damage. Priory remains located in 1928/9 were rediscovered and the depth of ploughing established. (242; see SyAC 80, 231-2)

Site observation by S P Dyer for SCC and Hall Aggregates revealed nothing of interest.