Surrey Archaeological Society

Ongoing evaluation of this site by PCA consisted of the excavation of eight trenches, excavated in three stages. Several of the trenches were truncated by modern walls and basements, but some trenches showed the survival of a thin band of silt over natural gravel. No archaeological features were found but several pieces of residual burnt flint were recovered from the silt layer.

Evaluation by T Carew of PCA, involving the excavation of nine trenches, revealed extensive truncation, a very small quantity of undatable and probably residual burnt flint, but no features of archaeological interest.

Continuing monitoring work by J Stevenson of SCAU in an area located immediately to the south of previous work undertaken in 1999 and 2000. The more securely dated features include: a Neolithic pit containing a complete Ebbsfleet bowl; several mid--Late Bronze Age pits; a small Iron Age pit containing nothing but a complete triangular loomweight; three sides of an enclosure of prehistoric date; the right-angled corner of a Roman enclosure, leading towards an area of concentrated Roman activity identified previously, and some middle Saxon pits.

Evaluation and subsequent excavation by T Carew of PCA in advance of the construction of a new prison. A palaeochannel, probably dating to the late glacial to early post-glacial period, cut through the centre of the excavated area. A probable early Mesolithic flint blade was recovered from near the channel, although it was found in a later context. The earliest of the cut features was a pit with a probable placed deposit of early Neolithic flintwork. This was adjacent to a middle to Late Neolithic ring ditch, interpreted as either a hengiform monument or a barrow.

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU in advance of redevelopment revealed no features, but the discovery of an unstratified Bronze Age flint thumbnail scraper points to evidence of prehistoric activity in the vicinity

Watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU carried out during office redevelopment revealed that the site had been subject to extensive disturbance by previous development, which would have destroyed any archaeology present.

Evaluation by M Bagwell of PCA prior to residential development revealed extensive previous ground disturbance and only one feature in the ten trenches excavated. This was a ditch, which produced six pieces of burnt flint, and has been interpreted as a possible prehistoric field boundary.

Evaluation by N Shaikhley of SCAU did not reveal any archaeological finds or features. The presence of a subsoil in part of only one trench indicates that extensive levelling had occurred over the site during previous development. The site, however, is unlikely to have been suitable for past settlement as alluvial deposits revealed in the trenches suggest the site had been prone to repeated phases of flooding.

Excavation by C Challis and S Coles of TVAS following an evaluation of the site in 2000. The excavations took place on the west bank of the river Wraysbury in an area thought to have been an island in times of flood, and exposed features comprising pits, postholes, ditches and a possible enclosed area. Features can be provisionally dated to the early medieval period (11th--12th century), but pottery of Roman and early to middle Saxon date was also recovered.

Continuing excavation by R Poulton of SCAU revealed further evidence of Roman activity.