Surrey Archaeological Society

Watching brief by G Potter of CA during the construction of a house. Foundations relating to an early 19th century structure known from cartographic sources were revealed, together with evidence for pre-19th century subsoil and buried topsoil horizons. No remains earlier than the Post-Medieval period were encountered.

Evaluation and watching brief by J Robertson of SCAU in advance of an extension to the quarry. A number of features were identified, although a paucity of dating evidence made interpretation difficult. A field system, delineated by a series of ditches, seemed to date to the late Medieval/early Post-Medieval period. A large number of discrete irregular hollows were interpreted as tree hollows, although there was some suggestion they may have been periglacial in origin. A middle Bronze Age axe head was discovered apparently buried in a post hole, although the provenance is not secure.

Evaluation by C Cowan of MoLAS, following a previous borehole survey that had concluded that much of the site was relatively untruncated, and that a good geoarchaeological sequence appeared across the site. The evaluation showed that a promontory of high gravel existed in the northern part of the site, with a surface dipping down to the south. Features containing four pottery sherds dated to the late Bronze Age or the early Iron Age were recorded in one trench beneath the alluvium.

Evaluation by A Stephenson of AOC prior to a residential redevelopment. No finds or features of archaeological interest were recorded, although examination of peat deposits found near the course of the river Bourne suggested that prehistoric cereal cultivation had taken place in the area during a hiatus in flooding episodes. The lack of artefactual evidence has precluded a precise date for this cultivation, although analysis is ongoing.

Continuation of the watching brief by R Poulton of SCAU. No other features of interest were revealed, with much of the site appearing to have been disturbed considerably in the post-dissolution period.

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Excavation by G Hayman of SCAU prior to the construction of an extension. The earliest material encountered was a few small fragments of Roman brick and pottery. This was thought to be residual in origin, although its presence continues to support the supposition that a site of this date exists somewhere in the town. Late Saxon and early Norman material was also found in a reworked agricultural horizon. No evidence for activity between the 4th and 10th centuries was found, which is consistent with evidence from other sites nearby.

Watching brief by T Howe of SCC during the construction of an extension revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Watching brief by T Howe of SCC during the excavation of foundations for a new house. A roughly constructed 19th century garden wall was revealed running east-west through the plot. The feature was of considerable interest however, as it was constructed from sandstone blocks, apparently re-used following the demolition of nearby Chertsey Abbey.