Surrey Archaeological Society

Building recording by Beryl Higgins & Vivienne Ettlinger of one of the former abattoir buildings, to be retained and refurbished, identified it as 17th or 18th century in origin. A watching brief was undertaken by N Shaikhley of SCAU, for Ian Vincent Property, during construction of housing on the remainder of the site. A ceramic vessel, identified as a ‘tyg’ of 17th century date, was found in spoil. No features of archaeological interest were revealed; the site was seen to have been very disturbed. (314, 321)

Excavation of this redevelopment site within the historic centre of Dorking, for Fairclough Homes, by J Pine of TVAS continued in 1996. A number of medieval pits, post-holes and gullies and a late medieval well were recorded. The pottery from these features has been dated to the 12th/13th century. A few features of Roman date were also recorded. (301) see report in SyAC 90, 261-271

Observation by N Shaikhley of SCAU of the footing trenches for an extension to The Tower, which was constructed c.1820. The corner of a wall constructed in the same stone as, and presumably associated with, The Tower was revealed; no finds were recovered. (321)

Evaluation by R Poulton & G Pattison of SCAU, for Gosterwood Estates Ltd, in advance of the construction of a lake revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest. A subsequent evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU, within the area of a proposed swimming pool, also revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest. (321)

A watching brief by D Saich of SCC on the groundworks for a new vestry revealed a sherd of 4th century Roman pottery.

Excavation by S Dyer, for SyAS, continued on the site of a villa first excavated in 1877, with the aim of establishing the size of the complex and the location of the 19th century excavation. The work established the plan of a western range of what is presumed to be a corridor villa, but not the full extent of the complex. The results suggest different phases of construction, with the western range possibly being the earliest and the northern range the latest. Finds recovered range from mid/late 1st century to late 4th century AD.

Report on the excavation of a cylindrical brick structure revealed by subsidence; it was probably a water tank associated with East Court House. (313)

A watching brief was maintained by R Poulton of SCAU, for Cedarwood Construction, on the construction of an extension to the convent. No features or finds of archaeological interest were noted. (314)