Surrey Archaeological Society

Sections parallel and at right angles to the High Street, behind 22 High Street, were recorded by D W Williams for HAG. The site backs onto the castle. Medieval deposits with 13th century pottery had been sealed by almost 1.5m of yellow sand. Part of a well was also recorded. It is suggested that the sand layer represents upcast from ditch digging at the castle, and that therefore this side of the High Street was not built up before the 16th century. (241)

Excavation by R J Poulton for SCC and London & Metropolitan PLC in advance of redevelopment, of a site some 35m south of the High Street frontage, to the rear of the buildings known as the Cage and the Stable. The earliest features on the site were two 12th century parallel ditches or gullies running north-south about 5m apart; these may have been plot boundaries relating to the laying out of the new town in the late 12th century.

Section across a building on the Auction Rooms site recorded by D W Williams for HAG. The remains are identified as the rear of a probably early 17th century building backing onto the lip of the castle ditch and demolished and backfilled c1700. Earlier levels may have existed here. (234)

Excavation by D W Williams for HAG following report of BA finds located by metal detector revealed 36 prehistoric sherds of probable LBA date but no features. The original metal finds were a socketed axe and seven pieces of copper cake. A small fragment of a sword blade is said to have come from a spot nearby, and another piece of copper cake from the Park some years ago. (241)

Observation of foundation work for replacement house to the north of the existing one by D G Bird for SCC revealed no features of interest. One medieval pottery sherd, a few fragments of medieval roof tile and one small piece of a RB tile were noted.

Observation by D W Williams for SCC and ARC of the first phases of topsoil stripping in advance of sand extraction revealed no features of interest.

Probably three human burials found by workmen in lowering the floor levels of this 17th century building and recorded by D W Williams (but not seen by him in situ). Two seem to have been recognised more or less in position and both were apparently already disturbed when found, one seemingly under an external wall of the house. The burials were apparently only shallow. The house is adjacent to the churchyard and these are therefore presumed to be medieval burials either outside consecrated ground or within a subsequently contracted graveyard. (234)

Excavation by G N Hayman for SCC and the City of London to test the area proposed for a sports hall produced confusing results. A probable RB chalk quarry and other features were recorded.

Excavation by G N Hayman for SCC and Esso Petroleum revealed further evidence for the Saxon period cemeteries previously excavated. Another 12 inhumations were found, five clearly pagan, of which three had iron knives, one also having two bronze pins. The other burials were probably executions; one in particular seemed to have had hands tied behind the back. Some 15 sherds of prehistoric pottery, some at least probably Neolithic, were found in the excavation. (241) The laying of a water main along the lane to the south was monitored by L Le Mottee, but nothing of interest was observed.

Evidence for the line of Stane Street (a continuous horizontal band of flints about 1.5m below the surface) noted by J Sankey in storm damage clearance. (230)