Surrey Archaeological Society

The first phase of evaluation of this site by R Lambert of SCAU revealed a variety of features dating to the post-medieval, Saxon and possibly prehistoric periods. The features largely comprised ditches or elongated pits. A second phase of evaluation to the south revealed deposits of post-medieval, medieval and prehistoric date comprising ditches, another elongated pit, and a number of smaller circular pits.

Evaluation by R Lambert of SCAU revealed a variety of features and deposits dating to the prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval periods. A ditch containing later Bronze Age flintwork was the earliest feature. The ditch contained a residual Mesolithic core, and a flint flake of Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date. Two joining pot sherds from a Late Saxon bowl were also recovered from a layer of post-medieval soil above the feature.

Evaluation by S Ford and M Gittins of TVAS revealed evidence of extensive previous disturbance, but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by I Hogg of AOC revealed one definite and one possible ditch, which may have been part of a field system, and a posthole of probable post-medieval or modern date, but no dating evidence for any of the features.

Evaluation by T Munnery of SCAU close to the site of the Scheduled Caesar’s Camp revealed evidence of prehistoric activity, with a slight concentration of Neolithic to Early Bronze Age flintwork to the east and Late Bronze Age structural evidence to the west. Two undated ditch sections from two trenches appeared to be aligned and may be the earthwork identified by William Stukeley in the 18th century.

Evaluation by J Pine and A Weale of TVAS in advance of possible mineral extraction involved the excavation of 149 trenches. A high density of certain and probable archaeological deposits was revealed, with 60% of the trenches proving positive, although little cultural or environmental dating evidence was recovered from them. Where such evidence was present, the deposits reflected Early Neolithic and probable Middle to Late Bronze Age occupation, with prehistoric activity of other periods represented by a few pieces of possible Mesolithic flintwork, Late Neolithic and Late Iron Age pottery.

Evaluation by L Loe of OA comprising two trenches to inform the design of an extension on the south side of the church. Within the first trench, five inhumation burials were revealed with associated coffin fittings of the post-medieval period. The second trench revealed a further five inhumation burials, but these had no associated post-medieval coffin fittings and are thought to date to the medieval period. A linear cut feature pre-dating the burials was also revealed in this trench.

Second phase of evaluation continuing from work in 2007 by D Hopkinson of ASE. A small group of shallow gullies, some of which contained Bronze Age to Iron Age pottery, was revealed, together with a field drain containing a single sherd of Roman pottery, and a natural feature containing a single Mesolithic flint flake.

Watching brief by M Broomfield of SyAS did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest, although the intrusive groundworks carried out ultimately proved to be particularly small-scale.

Watching brief by R Savage of SyAS during a stoppage on the Wey Navigation. Evidence for the construction of a partition or weir between the large mill pond and the Navigation was revealed. The brick and timber construction of the weir incorporated rectangular blocks of waste from copper processing and may date from Alexander Raby’s ownership of the site between c 1777 and 1807 when he maintained an iron and copper works here. Metalworking continued at the adjacent mill until 1831, so the construction of the weir could relate to later works.