Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by A Taylor of TVAS revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest.

Photographic survey by N Shaikhley of SCAU to make a record of the structure before alteration.

Completion of watching brief begun in 2004 by B Davis of WA during conversion works. No finds or features of archaeological interest were noted in this phase of the observations.

Watching brief by S Ford and S Wallis of TVAS revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest. An extensive deposit of peat was, however, discovered on the southern part of the site. This was sampled for its environmental potential, with results on its analysis expected in 2007.

Evaluation by J Vuolteenaho of MoLAS in advance of the installation of a new track revealed one area containing postholes representing either early activity, or an earlier fence alignment, and another with a small shallow feature and further postholes. Monitoring by S Davis during machine clearance around the area of the first set of postholes did not reveal any similar or associated deposits, but the concrete roof of either a basement or bunker was uncovered. Although not fully excavated, the structure was found to extend at least 2m below the present ground surface.

Evaluation by J Perry of SutAS revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Continuing excavation by G Hayman of SCAU in advance of mineral extraction. Two areas were excavated in 2005. The northern of the two areas lay immediately north of the area examined in 2004 that included a large number of ditches, waterholes and numerous small pits and postholes, producing substantial quantities of pottery and struck flint, of Middle Bronze Age date. This concentration of evidence did not extend far into the 2005 area. The features were almost exclusively of Bronze Age date.

Evaluation by K Bazley of AOC revealed a large linear feature of Roman date (thought to be a flood protection ditch), a post pit, posthole, pit and gully, possibly prehistoric and indicative of settlement activity. A medieval or early post-medieval gully, and evidence of substantial post-Victorian disturbance, including foundation remains of the Majestic Picture Theatre were also found. Further work is proposed.

Watching brief by C Menary of MoLAS revealed that the site straddled both the gravel island and the alluvial flood plain. A layer of alluvium containing residual Roman finds could relate to flooding of the Roman settlement in the 3rd century, and a deposit of post-medieval dumping dating to 1740–1800 was possibly an effort to raise the ground level in this period.

Monitoring by S Kemp of EA during topsoil removal for the creation of a works compound did not identify any archaeological finds or features.