Surrey Archaeological Society

Fieldwalking by G Rapson of SyAS following ploughing of the field revealed Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age flint, and prehistoric, Roman and post-medieval pottery.

Metal detector survey and excavation of a trench by D Williams of SCC in an area adjoining the Scheduled villa where a dispersed Roman coin hoard had been reported in the 1970s. No coins were found, but various Roman finds and a feature, interpreted as a robber trench of a building demolished in the Roman period, was revealed. (368)

Historic Landscape Survey commissioned by SCC and SyAS and undertaken by N Bannister researching the development of the landscape of the eastern area of Hurtwood in an area triangulated between Peaslake, and the Holmbury Camp and Felday hillforts

Excavation of a test pit by P Robbins as part of the Time Team `Big Dig’ revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Watching brief by N Shaikhley of SCAU, during the excavation of a small test pit prior to the installation of a lift. The wall foundations of the existing 18th century house were revealed, although no evidence for earlier structures suspected to be on the site was observed.

Evaluation by C Cowan of MoLAS during redevelopment revealed that the site had undergone comprehensive terracing in the recent past, and no finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed.

Evaluation and excavation by S Deeves of PCA revealed significant disturbance to the site and little of interest remained, except that in one small area flood plain deposits were found to have survived. Excavation of these deposits revealed evidence for an important occupation site datable to the later Mesolithic period, and involved the recovery of c 100,000–150,000 pieces of struck flint.

Evaluation by D Hart of LPA prior to residential redevelopment revealed a palaeochannel and two potential ditches, together with a relative abundance of Roman finds and evidence of post-medieval agricultural activity. The site is adjacent to a previously excavated Roman rural site and close to the villa building on Broadstreet Common. However, the evidence suggests that this area was largely beyond the curtilage of the main settlement.

Watching brief by J Robertson and N Shaikhley of SCAU during construction of an extension at the rear of the property following evaluation in 2002 revealed the area had already been disturbed. The well identified in the earlier evaluation was exposed and examined.

Observation by M Alexander of GM during conservation work on the Castle Keep revealed features hidden since the walls had been raised, including original crenellations and the position of an earlier roof. (371)