Surrey Archaeological Society

Reports received from Guildford Museum of fieldwork undertaken by the GMEU in previous years: 8 High Street, Guildford A watching brief during alterations led to recording of 18th century building foundations; a sherd of 12th or 13th century pottery was recovered during piling. 44 High Street, Guildford A watching brief undertaking recorded elements of the 17th century timber frame exposed during alterations to the building; these features were subsequently recorded by members of the DBRG. 46 High Street, Guildford

Watching brief by C Currie of CKCA during the excavation of test pits behind the lock chamber walls, found no evidence that the concrete sides acted as a facing for earlier brick sides. Substantial horizontal timbers were found behind the concrete suggesting that these were part of a bracing structure to help support an earlier timber revetment. These also show that lining of the lock chambers was converted from timber to concrete at this site, without any intervening brick stage as previous documentary research had suggested.

Evaluation by A Stephenson of AOC prior to the construction of a groundkeeper’s building. No features of archaeological interest were revealed, although a number of probable Bronze Age worked flints were recovered. Owing to the close proximity of the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Frowsbury Mound bowl barrow, a watching brief will be undertaken in early 2002 on the further excavations for the building.

Evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU revealed a pit of prehistoric, probably Bronze Age, date likely to have been associated with either food preparation or possibly metal smelting; the frequency of worked flint found in the spoil heaps confirms the potential for further prehistoric finds in the area.

Excavation by the Friends of Nonsuch Society in the stable block, led to the discovery of stone foundations thought to contain re-used stone from the demolished Nonsuch Palace. Stucco from the palace’s exterior decorative scheme was also recovered.

Watching brief by R Bashford of OAU in advance of residential redevelopment revealed that any archaeology on the site had been destroyed by the construction of the Jolly Waggoners.

Evaluation by S Anthony of TVAS in advance of residential redevelopment revealed only modern features, a few scattered struck flints of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, and a tiny piece of abraded, unidentifiable pottery.

Evaluation by E Hindmarch of TVAS revealed that the site had been substantially disturbed. Two gullies/ditches and a posthole were recovered from trenches in the north-east of the site. Nothing was recovered to date the posthole, but the linear features produced 11th--12th century pottery, as well as some poorly preserved animal bone. The finds and features may indicate the presence of habitation close by.

Evaluation by J Nowell of WA in advance of residential development revealed only a residual barbed-and-tanged arrowhead of Early Bronze Age date, and a series of 20th century postholes probably associated with the former racecourse. No evidence was found of the neighbouring multi-period occupation site at Hurst Park West excavated by WA in 1994. Evidence of past flooding was recorded through identification of alluvial clays and silts, and as the site lies 1.25m below Hurst Park West, it would have been much more prone to flooding and consequently less attractive for occupation and settlement.