Surrey Archaeological Society

Watching brief by G Jackson of SCC following the excavation of foundation trenches for a new conservatory just outside the site of the Scheduled Oatlands Palace did not reveal any finds or features.

Evaluation by Geoff Potter of CA involving the excavation of six trenches. Two sherds of 11th or 12th century Medieval pottery were recovered from two ditch features in the southern part of the site, and a small fragment of 16th century decorated stove-tile (possibly from the nearby site of Oatlands Palace) in a trench to the north. The ditch features are believed to be early boundary or drainage cuts or shallow water cut channels within an agricultural landscape; and a number of narrow Post-Medieval drainage cuts observed illustrate continued farming of the site.

Fieldwalking by Mayford History Society carried out in advance of golf course construction and reported by Nancy Hawkins. Extensive crop marks are known, and have been tested by excavation, but nothing of significance was noted in the fieldwork. (174; see also above, p. 147-55)

Excavation by D G Bird for SCC of part of the foundations of the gatehouse wing demolished in the late 18th century, confirmed the accuracy of Harrison's plan of 1891. Fieldwork nearby in advance of lake construction revealed the line of a former drive which at some time had utilised rubble from the house, perhaps from the demolished wing. (175)

The fourth season of excavation by D G Bird for SCC and SyAS completed the plan of the 16th century brick building — a rectangle c 4 by 3 metres — and further examined the medieval ditches, whose purpose and plan remained unclear. (175)

Excavation by J A Janaway for the Godalming Group of SyAS produced only 19th century rubble and four medieval sherds in two trenches.

Excavation by the Bourne Society revealed medieval pottery, wall footings and a gravel surface, the first evidence for medieval Caterham. (See above, p. 123-33)

Excavation by D J Turner continued; further evidence for a medieval hall 80 feet long but with the entrance in the shorter side, and continued excavation of a section across the ringwork defences.

Excavation by M G O'Connell for SCC and DoE further examined a crop mark complex (figs I, 2). A very large LBA pit was found, in which fragments of worked wood had been preserved. The pit cut one of two parallel ditches previously assumed to mark a Roman road and now interpreted as a cursus. Closer examination of aerial photographs indicated two other possible cursus to the north, and a possible henge near the excavation site; the excavation also examined further a prehistoric trackway and Saxon features. Later work for SCC and the British Airports Authority confirmed the cursus identification

Excavation by J J Chapman and S Dyer for SAFG in advance of redevelopment revealed a late Roman ditch and levelled surface.