Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of tree planting was carried out by P M G Jones of SCAU for SCC. The site lay on the projected alignment of the prehistoric pit rows excavated at Staines Road Farm in 1989, but no archaeological features were observed.

Evaluation trial trenching carried out by S P Dyer for SCAU and Tarmac Ltd located a number of buried stream and river channels but no artefacts were found. (279) Subsequent observation of gravel extraction located much animal bone, including aurochs. Some of the bone, particularly antler, showed evidence for human working. Two human skulls were also found in the buried channels. (282)

A watching brief during redevelopment, by Rob Poulton of SCAU for Wimpey Homes Holding Ltd, produced no evidence of archaeological features.

Observation by S P Dyer for SCAU and Reservoir Aggregates Ltd of topsoil and subsoil removal failed to reveal anything of archaeological significance. (278)

Field walking in advance of gravel extraction, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for Greenham Construction Materials Ltd and Tarmac Roadstone Ltd, revealed concentrations of struck flint of Neolithic or Bronze Age date. A wide variety of tools was represented, including scrapers, awls, burins and arrowheads, and the presence of cores and hammerstones, as well as a large number of waste flakes, indicated that flint working was taking place in the vicinity.

Evaluation trial trenching carried out by S P Dyer for SCAU and the National Rivers Authority located a silted up stream channel, possibly a former course of the Colne, but no artefacts of archaeological interest were found. (279)

Observation by S P Dyer for SCAU and the National Rivers Authority of flood defence improvement works located no artefacts of archaeological interest but added to knowledge of the area between the gravel 'islands' on which Staines stands. (282)

A watching brief on groundworks at the Town Hall and some excavation was carried out by P M G Jones of SCAU for Spelthorne Borough Council. This confirmed that the building lay over medieval and Roman near-shore muds and silts which were sealed below 16th-17th century levels, probably representing foreshore reclamation. A reed peat filled feature of 15th century date was recorded, which contained numerous cut offs of wood and scraps of leather. The earliest buildings on the site appear to be late 15th or 16th century in date.

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of redevelopment, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for Crest Homes (Southern) Ltd, in an area where aerial photography has identified crop marks. No features of archaeological interest were noted.

A watching brief on building works was carried out by G R Pattison of SCAU for the Homewood National Health Service Trust. The site lies within the area of the abbey cemetery, but no archaeological features were observed.