Surrey Archaeological Society

Further evaluation (SyAC 94, 365) by A Boucher of AI. Investigation of a palaeochannel identified in the first phase revealed deposits suitable for radiocarbon dating, providing dates between 1800 and 2000 BC. A rapid survey of the standing buildings on the site was also undertaken prior to their demolition.

Watching brief by P Harp of Plateau during the installation of a new water main recovered a small number of Mesolithic or Neolithic flints. Part of the route passed close to Dene Farm (now the Rambler’s Rest public house), where a significant quantity of 13th century pottery was revealed during reinstatement works. Place-name evidence records habitation at Dene Farm as far back as 1301

Soil-stripping, mapping and sampling by J Perry of SutAS did not reveal any features of archaeological interest, although a single sherd of Roman pottery was recovered, together with a small amount of late post-medieval material.

Watching brief by P Harp of Plateau during building works. A number of worked flints of Bronze Age date and a small quantity of Roman pottery were recovered.

Continuation of watching brief by N Shaikhley of SCAU, which began in 2007. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed.

Topographical survey of the Reigate Heath barrow cemetery and its surroundings by J English of SyAS. Detailed plans of all known and suspected barrows have shown continuing damage by heavy leisure use. The barrows utilise a ridge between two streams and are overlooked by the North Downs

Watching brief/site-walkover by P Harp of Plateau during golf course remodelling works. Unstratified Palaeolithic and Mesolithic flints were recovered, together with a small quantity of Roman tile and pottery

Evaluation by T Munnery of SCAU prior to the construction of a reservoir. An undated posthole, together with a single pit, and five linear features of probable recent date were identified. A number of stray flint artefacts ranging in date from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age were also recovered.

Excavation and watching brief by D Swift of ASE. Extensive evidence for Middle to Late Iron Age settlement was revealed to the south of the Burstow Stream, including a rare double-ring gully and post-built structure of a possible ritual nature. An apparent hiatus in occupation occurred until re-settlement in the 1st century AD, although field systems elsewhere on the site showed evidence for continuity. A further hiatus in occupation was noted until activity resumed in the late 2nd–early 3rd centuries AD.

Soil-stripping, mapping and sampling by S Watson of PCA prior to the formation of a horse jumping area. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed. However, naturally occurring deposits of bog iron ore were encountered. Bog iron is formed through percolation of groundwater flowing into wetlands, and is thought to have been a major source of iron during the pre-industrial periods. Its discovery is fairly rare as most deposits appear to have been worked out in antiquity, so its analysis will contribute significantly to studies of pre-industrial iron-working in the region.