Surrey Archaeological Society

Fieldwalking by J Ede of Plateau recovered a Palaeolithic flake, and a Neolithic or Bronze Age small flaked axe. A general spread of post-glacial lithics, mainly Neolithic or Bronze Age, occurs across the field on the crest of the scarp slope, while there is more Mesolithic struck flint present on the sandier west of the field.

Report on a walkover field survey carried out in 2001 under the direction of L Pontin of AOC in advance of redevelopment of the site as a golf course. The survey located a number of areas of interest containing features of probable Post-Medieval or modern date.

Watching brief by R Ellaby of SyAS during alterations within the grounds, including the excavation of a swimming pool. No features of archaeological interest were revealed, although a few sherds of possible 17th century pottery were noted.

Evaluation by A Turner of PCA revealed two heavily abraded sherds of prehistoric pottery redeposited in modern features, and that much of the site had been truncated by previous levelling.

Evaluation by G Priestly-Bell of ASE in advance of residential redevelopment exposed a number of features, and subsequent excavation revealed remains of a late Iron Age settlement. Limited ceramic evidence suggests the settlement may have begun in the middle Iron Age, although two gullies of possible late Bronze Age or early Iron Age date were also present. The late Iron Age remains comprised significant elements of a probable double ditched enclosure, with a possible entranceway. Post-holes within the enclosure may have represented the site of a structure.

Evaluation by M Dover of SCAU prior to the construction of an extension to the Swan Centre. A single flint tool of Mesolithic or early Neolithic flint was recovered, although this was found within the subsoil rather than any apparent feature. Nothing further of archaeological note was revealed.

Watching brief by M Taylor-Sutton of SutAS during residential redevelopment revealed no archaeological deposits.

Watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU during groundworks involved in the excavation of a new sewer. The exposed sections of the sewer trench were too unstable to be examined safely, so only the general stratigraphy was recorded. The accompanying easement strip removed only the topsoil and so did not impact on the archaeology bearing horizons, but a number of unstratified late Neolithic or early Bronze Age struck flints (3 cores, 4 flakes, 1 retouched flake, 1 notched flake) were recovered from the subsoil and removed topsoil.

Watching brief by J Robertson of SCAU during groundworks associated with the construction of a replacement vestry. No features or evidence of structures earlier than the demolished vestry were revealed. However, a number of finds were recovered from the foundation and services trenches, including three sherds of pottery ranging in date from the Bronze Age to the middle Iron Age, three pieces of struck flint, and several pieces of calcined flint, providing evidence of prehistoric activity in the vicinity.