Surrey Archaeological Society

Watching brief by N Cowlard and S Nelson of EEHAS revealed a chalk layer that appeared to have been a levelling for a previous outbuilding, but no finds of archaeological interest.

Fieldwalking by SyAS and EEHAS, under the direction of N Cowlard, of a number of fields in the area as part of the Ewell Hinterland Project. (423)

Assessment by J Lowe of CgMs principally to establish the validity of claims for buried Second World War bunkers, thought to be a command centre, and comprising a series of rooms, possibly oak panelled and retaining furniture, fixtures and fittings. Sources indicated that the original development, dating from 1941, had included the structures, but the fieldwork aspect of the Assessment (comprising an on-site walkover and the excavation of a number of trenches) did not reveal any remains of the bunkers.

Evaluation by N Randall of SCAU revealed evidence of past disturbance associated with the former buildings that occupied the site from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries and the construction of the present houses on the site. No features of archaeological interest were revealed, but three medieval pottery sherds were recovered from the backfill of a modern drain.

Watching brief by D Williams of SCAU during the excavation of an easement strip for the installation of a new pipeline revealed a small quantity of struck and burnt flints of prehistoric date deposited in the topsoil. A metal detector survey did not recover any finds dated to earlier than the 19th century.

Soil stripping under archaeological control undertaken by T Munnery of SCAU revealed evidence of extensive levelling and a redeposited sherd of late Saxon pottery, but no features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by P Riccoboni of ASE revealed a small number of features located in one section of the site, none of which could be dated.

Training excavation by T Howe of SCC and R Savage of SyAS. Two trenches were excavated in an attempt to both locate the former dwelling of Alexander Raby (who ran an iron and copper manufacturing business on the mill site between 1770 and 1809) and better characterise the oldest of the former mills shown on a detailed map of 1798 before it was demolished around 1820. Raby’s house could not be definitely located, but a number of features were revealed on the former mill site, including two filled-in millraces and evidence for internal structures.

Evaluation by J Payne of PCA revealed an undated linear cut and an irregular feature interpreted as a tree-throw hollow.

Evaluation by S Cass of TVAS did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest.