Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of construction of the M25 service station, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for the Department of Transport, revealed concentrations of 13th century pottery associated with areas of burning, thought to indicate the production of Limpsfield ware; further excavation was recommended. Two sections, one either side of the M25, were also dug through the London-Lewes Roman road and variations in construction were noted. Two areas, one either side of the motorway, were subsequently excavated by Graham Hayman of SCAU for English Heritage.

Observation of laying of British Gas pipeline by Penny Hasler for South Eastern Archaeological Services revealed no finds of significance. (274)

Monitoring by S P Dyer for SCAU and Cairn Energy PLC of installation of drilling rig and pipeline revealed nothing of archaeological interest. (278)

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of redevelopment, by P M G Jones of SCAU for J P Whelan Ltd, located 18th and 19th century foundations of Mayes Place, but no evidence for earlier occupation.

Report on the examination of earthworks by P J Gray and Gwyneth Fookes. It is suggested that there may have been an enclosure on the summit of Gravelly Hill some 12-15 ha in extent, marked by banks up to 4.5m in height; in places there seem to have been sections with a triple bank. To the north, on flatter downland, field lynchets were noted and it is suggested that these were associated with the enclosure. The relationship, if any, with the War Coppice Iron Age hillfort, just to the west, is not clear.

Observation by S P Dyer for SCAU and Hepworths of topsoil and subsoil removal failed to produce any further discoveries of archaeological significance. (278)

Two seasons of excavation were directed by G H Cole for SHAHT. There was evidence for earlier prehistoric occupation (worked flints) and late Iron Age occupation and possibly related iron working (pottery and slag). Parts of possible buildings of the 2nd/3rd centuries were identified and there was late RB material including part of a jet finger ring with a monogrammed cross. No evidence was found for medieval occupation but the site had evidence for a post-medieval tanning industry known from documents to date c l596-1851.

A watching brief on topsoil stripping in advance of mineral extraction, by Rob Poulton of SCAU for Alfred McAlpine Construction Ltd, revealed only a concentration of 18th century pottery.

Evaluation trial trenching carried out by S P Dyer for SCAU and Thames Waste Management Ltd failed to locate anything of archaeological significance. (279)

Evaluation trial trenching by S P Dyer for SCAU and Thameswey Homes Ltd revealed probably BA features including pits and a ditch. (278) The subsequent excavation by Graham Hayman of SCAU, for Thameswey Homes Ltd, produced evidence for more than one phase of use in the early-middle Bronze Age. Excavated features included two large pits, identified as waterholes, which were waterlogged, preserving organic materials not normally found on archaeological sites. One piece of preserved wood is thought to have been the base of a bucket.