Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation and watching brief by S Hoad of MoLAS on land within the manorial estate of Rhodri ap Gruffudd, brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd the Prince of Wales until his death in 1282, and his descendants during the 14th century. Two undated postholes were revealed.

Watching brief by S Watson of PCA during the excavation of two service trenches linked to two new soakaways in the churchyard. Post-medieval ceramic building material was revealed in topsoil and subsoil deposits, evidence for a 19th or 20th century path foundation was observed, and the southernmost trench sectioned a bank that forms the current southern boundary of the churchyard. Only modern demolition debris was recovered from the fill, but it is likely that the bank is much older and possibly medieval in date.

Evaluation by J Stevenson of ASE revealed a fairly substantial ditch containing several pottery sherds of probable early Roman date and an undated gully

Evaluation by T Collie of ASE did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU revealed evidence of some modern disturbance, but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by C Meaton features of post-medieval and modern origin.of ASE revealed two undated linear features and a number of

Evaluation by P Cox of AC Archaeology revealed a single undated gully and an ill-defined feature, possibly a tree-throw hollow, containing charcoal fragments and a possible late Mesolithic blade. A subsequent watching brief during the creation of an access track revealed two undated features: one observed in section and possibly representing a former ditch, and the other a short linear feature comprised almost solely of charcoal. No evidence was present to assist with dating or identifying the function of the earthwork located in the nearby Birchen Coppice.

Watching brief by D Whittaker of ASE during upgrading works on or close to the site of a probable Bronze Age cremation cemetery, discovered towards the end of the 19th century, revealed evidence of extensive modern disturbance but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Earthwork survey by I Ellis and J English of SyAS of a Scheduled feature known as the Bee Garden. The site was exposed unexpectedly following an extensive fire on the common. The feature was recorded as a roughly trapezoidal bank and ditched enclosure measuring approximately 100 x 100m, with a surviving second outer bank in some places. A suggestion of a two-phase construction process was noted, although without intrusive excavations it was not possible to date any of the surviving details with any confidence, or accurately determine the purpose of the feature.

Evaluation by M Bagwell of PCA revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.