Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation and excavation by J Robertson of SCAU prior to development of the rear of the property. Deposits and structural features (including the remains of walls) were revealed, suggesting occupation on the site from the 12th century onwards.

Ongoing research excavation by P Harp of Plateau continued to recover later prehistoric artefacts. In the 2003 season, approximately 100 pieces of struck flint and ten sherds of late prehistoric pottery were recovered from just beneath the plough-soil. An additional test pit was excavated as part of the Time Team `Big Dig’; finds consisted mainly of Bronze Age struck flint, one sherd of Bronze Age pottery, one rim sherd of Late Roman pottery and three fragments of medieval roof tile

Evaluation by P Askew of MoLAS revealed no finds or features of interest, with the site having been heavily landscaped, most likely in the 1920s. A geoarchaeological assessment of the underlying Clay-with-Flints subsoil did, however, provide useful information relating to the formation of these deposits.

Research excavation by P Harp of Plateau. Approximately 200 Lower or Middle Palaeolithic pieces of struck flint were recovered, mainly from what was interpreted as the disturbed boundary zone between Clay-with-Flints and a loessic deposit under the plough-soil. A quantity of post-glacial lithics was also recovered. In addition to the note in 2003 (SyAC 90, 353), it should be reported that one of the surface finds was a Levallois core.

Watching brief by R Lambert of SCAU during the excavation of service and drainage trenches relating to the construction of a new toilet block. No features were revealed, but a small quantity of human bone, likely to be relatively recent, was collected. A few stray finds, including a flint flake likely to be of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, and clay pipe, were retrieved from the spoil.

Evaluation and building recording by C Currie of CKCA. No finds or features of archaeological interest were noted during the evaluation work, with the majority of the site having been terraced previously. Recording work concentrated on a locally listed barn built in the second half of the 19th century, which was found to be of an unusual type, showing influences possibly indicative of new construction methods inspired by industrial techniques rather than rural tradition

Geophysical survey carried out by GeoQuest Associates as part of preliminary work prior to a proposed housing development. A number of weak anomalies were detected, although the only features identified with any confidence were a short section of silted ditch or river meander together with some areas of burning, and a possible section of bank and ditch.

A field survey, watching brief and excavation by J Perry of SutAS was undertaken in advance of sand extraction and close to a prehistoric and Roman site previously excavated by D Williams. The field survey and watching brief revealed quantities of Neolithic and Bronze Age struck flint, burnt flint and some Mesolithic struck flint. A small quantity of Bronze Age, Roman and medieval pottery was also recovered. These finds were spread over the whole field though there was a concentration of finds, particularly Bronze Age, at the highest point.

Monitoring by G Rapson of SyAS of pipeline works in and around Dorking revealed a number of finds and features, but most significantly, a cemetery containing fourteen skeletons at Ten Acre Field. The skeletons are of probable Saxon date, and three circular crop marks reported to exist at the other end of the field point to the presence of further, potentially older, activity on this hill top.

Excavation of a test pit by R Le Brocq as part of the Time Team `Big Dig’ reported finds of Neolithic and post-medieval date.