Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation and subsequent excavation was carried out by J Robertson of SCAU for Nicholas King Homes, before residential development of the school grounds. The site lies outside the Roman and medieval settlement of Staines but in close proximity to the parish church. Numerous features of late Saxon date were revealed, confirming that there had been some shift of settlement during that period away from the site of the Roman town. Some features of Saxo-Norman date were identified, but insufficient to establish whether Duncroft was the site of Staines’ Manor House.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, on behalf of United House Construction, was carried out in advance of redevelopment. Two phases of flood deposits (Roman and post-Roman) were revealed below modern disturbance. These in turn overlay natural brickearth and gravels. The evaluation found no evidence for Roman or earlier features sealed by the flood deposits; in particular no trace of the possible Roman ditch identified by the Spelthorne Archaeological Field Group, during their work in 1992, was revealed in either trial trench.

Evaluation and subsequent excavation by J McKinley of Wessex, for MEPC, was carried out in advance of the redevelopment of the estate. The evaluation identified three broad zones within the site: the edge of the town gravel island, a broad alluvium filled channel to the north and, beyond this, a second gravel island. Subsequent work concentrated on the two islands. Excavation on the northern island (centred at TQ 033 719) recorded part of an enclosure/field system of Bronze Age date and another of Roman date, as well as agricultural features from the medieval period.

A watching brief was maintained by M Dover of SCAU on works to the river, within the Trading Estate, for the Environment Agency. Owing to difficulties with access, not all areas of ground disturbance could be observed, but in those areas examined no features or finds of archaeological interest were noted. (321)

Evaluation by J McKinley of Wessex, for MEPC, as part of an application for development. The results suggest that the higher ground south of the ditch was augmented in the medieval, and possibly Roman, periods by dumping, with the low lying land north of the ditch remaining prone to flooding. In the post-medieval period the build up of material across this northern area presumably led to the need for a formal drainage ditch to be constructed.

Evaluation by D Hopkinson of AOC, on behalf of Nicholas King Homes, in advance of residential redevelopment revealed a number of features, including a possible cultivation mark containing a sherd of mid to late Bronze Age pottery. Subsequently an area excavation was carried out by R Entwistle of AOC and a watching brief was also maintained on the development. A small assemblage of Mesolithic flints was recovered, as well as some sherds of Neolithic and early Bronze Age pottery.

A watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU, for Henry Streeter (Sand & Ballast) Ltd, on continuing works at this mineral extraction site recorded no features or finds of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, for Tarmac Quarry Products, revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest. A considerable depth of alluvial clays were found to overly the gravel, with no indication of any buried former river channels. (321)

Observation by S Hind and R Poulton of SCAU, for Reservoir Aggregates Ltd, of topsoil stripping in advance of phase 5 of mineral extraction revealed only a couple of pieces of medieval pottery, a flint flake and occasional pieces of burnt flint.

A watching brief on the construction of a replacement dwelling was carried out by S Dyer of SyAS. No features or finds of archaeological interest were noted.