Surrey Archaeological Society

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,

Site watching and rescue excavation by R J Poulton and P M G Jones for SCC and Greenham Construction Materials Ltd revealed some prehistoric features and scattered medieval pottery. In one area three interlinked ring gullies were planned and sampled and several sherds of associated pottery were recovered. This appears to have been a MIA settlement site.

Fieldwork by P M G Jones and R J Poulton for SCC and HMBC located and recorded a section through a BA occupation site revealed in gravel working. Finds included pottery, a barbed and tanged arrowhead and a human skull. A ground stone axe was previously discovered by workmen.

Fieldwork by PMG Jones located BA pottery eroding from an old quarry face.

Excavation by S Dyer for SAFG in advance of redevelopment on a site adjacent to Petters Sports Field. BA pottery and worked flint and the possible RB road line were located.

Trial trenches by S Dyer for SAFG in advance of redevelopment. J Chapman noted that some post-medieval pottery and possible kiln wasters and fragments of kiln furniture were found.

Observation by D W Williams and HAG of a redevelopment, located further features of archaeological interest. Two oxen were found buried in a pit probably of 18th century date or later. A medieval rectangular rubbish pit and a deep circular feature interpreted as a cess-pit of c.1400 were also found. Many finds were made, some with the assistence of metal detector users, including the first RB coin noted from Reigate. (224)

Rescue and salvage excavation by D W Williams for HAG was the first examination- of the archaeology of the east side of Bell Street. Three medieval features were found, all containing similar pottery suggesting a date in the second half of the 12th century. This was further confirmed by a cut halfpenny of Henry II (1158-80) found in the fill of a sub-rectangular pit, possibly a cesspit, above its base, which was formed by a group blackened stones.

Excavation by R J Poulton for SCC and McAlpine Homes South Ltd in advance of development affecting the south-west corner of the enclosure identified by B Hope-Taylor. The ditch on the south side was found to be no more than a gully and no signs of occupation were noted. A number of mostly Mesolithic flints were found, not in contemporary contexts; they included a tranchet axe. (224)