Surrey Archaeological Society

Recording by G Rapson of a large earthwork, which is possibly part of the remains of a fortified Norman manor house known from documentary evidence as Black Hawes Castle. A sherd from a 12th or 13th century cooking pot was recovered in the garden below the earthwork. (357)

Landscape assessment by N Bannister, and volunteers from SyAS, for the Woodlands Trust, involving the recording of features identified from maps and documents, as well as previously unknown earthworks. The most frequent features recorded were banks and ditches associated with former land divisions. The lack of features relating to woodland management such as charcoal hearths, saw pits, timber extraction routes, is typical of a Post-Medieval wood in this area located on former farmland.

Watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU during the construction of facilities for the disabled revealed 19th century brick vaults, together with the foundations of the 15th century tower. A curious flint and greensand “spur” was found to have been built into the foundations. This did not support any known or previously demolished feature, and there is no satisfactory explanation for its function.

Evaluation and excavation by P Boyer of PCA prior to residential development. Extensive horizontal truncation, probably dating to the establishment of the barracks during World War II, was found across the majority of the site. However, a Roman enclosure dating to the mid/late 1st century AD was revealed, which probably formed part of a wider agricultural landscape. Later 17th and 18th century agricultural features were also identified in the same area, which appeared to have escaped the truncation evident across the rest of the site.

Evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU prior to a residential development. Two pits of likely prehistoric origin, containing large amounts of charcoal and burnt flints, were found, although no definitive dating material was present. No evidence for Roman activity was seen despite the proximity of the villa site just to the south-west. A compact layer of building rubble seen in three trenches was thought to relate to the demolition of an 18th century farmstead that is known to have existed here.

Watching brief by J Stevenson of ASE carried out during groundworks associated with the development of a new sports buildings and pitch revealed the site of a probable Second World War air raid shelter, and identified some dressed chalk blocks re-used as foundations in the site’s western boundary wall.

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU prior to alterations and extensions to the property. A wall foundation and well constructed from chalk blocks were recorded. No dating evidence was found, although they were thought to be remnants of the Green Man Inn, which stood on the site until the mid 18th century. The well had been sealed by a brick capping at some point. A number of later Post-Medieval features were also revealed.

Evaluation by A Holmes of OA in an area proposed for the construction of sports pitches. Possible prehistoric hearth pits and a ditch, together with a Medieval boundary ditch probably associated with the Royal Deer Park, and evidence for a Post-Medieval trackway were encountered, although the general density of features was low. No evidence for a postulated Roman road running through the site was seen, although a band of natural gravel was seen in the approximate location, which likely accounts for previously recorded geophysical anomalies across the area.

Watching brief by A Stevenson of AOC following a 2001 evaluation. Despite the proximity of Frowsbury Mound - a large barrow of probable Neolithic or Bronze Age date - no finds or features of interest were revealed.