A watching brief was maintained by G Pattison and J Stevenson of SCAU, for SCC, during the construction of a temporary bridge. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed, although the works were considered to be too limited to have reached possibly meaningful archaeological levels

Evaluation and watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU, on behalf of the church, of part of the site for a proposed extension. The trenches were restricted to the area outside the churchyard; they revealed considerable disturbance, presumed to represent landscaping in the 19th century. The watching brief on remedial works on the east end of the Chancel revealed the foundations to be constructed from mortared chalk rubble, sitting on the natural gravel, with no obvious signs of earlier structural remains. A number of both articulated and disarticulated human remains were also revealed.

Evaluation and excavation by G Hayman of SCAU of Phase 7 of this mineral extraction site, for Greenham Construction Materials Ltd, revealed a variety of features; the quantity of finds associated with many of these is indicative of settlement activity. Most features were revealed on an area of marginally higher ground. They include a very large ditch, possibly forming an enclosure around a settlement. The finds appear to be of Bronze Age date and probably relate to the settlement of that date found in previous phases (4E and 6B).

Observation by R Young of PCA of geotechnical survey, to clarify the level of truncation across the site. The survey suggested minimal truncation between the existing buildings on the site, and the nature of the deposits indicate a complex history of flooding and reworking of deposits by alluvial action. Possible archaeological deposits containing burnt flints and clay were observed in two boreholes.

Geophysical survey carried out by Matthew McMurray as part of a university project, in order to test for the existence of an eastern enclosure to the Caesar’s Camp earthwork, as defined by William Stukeley in 1723. A number of new features were identified, including the remains of a possible banjo enclosure, and kiln site. A possible Roman building was also noted, although this could not be confirmed. The area of the Caesar’s camp Scheduled Monument was re-plotted, and revealed what appeared to be the remains of a circular ditch within the enclosure.

Continuing monitoring work by J Stevenson of SCAU on stripping of the site in advance of mineral extraction revealed a long stretch of ditch. This probably relates to the possible Bronze Age field system previously identified on the site.

Evaluation by J Pine of TVAS in advance of redevelopment revealed a concentration of features in one part of the site. The features comprised pits, postholes and two possible ditches, and may represent several phases of activity. The features that could be dated appear to be from the early Medieval period, but the discovery of pottery of Roman and early to middle Saxon date suggests activity of those dates in the near vicinity. Excavation of this area is proposed for the future.

Excavation by G Hayman of SCAU revealed evidence of Roman ritual activity, including human inhumations and cremations, and an animal burial, and pits and ditches which may belong to later, 4th century, settlement. Interpretation is tentative as work is in progress, and no finds analysis has taken place.

Excavation by J McKinley of WA of a site on the High Street frontage, and of the former British Gas site, both as part of the Central Trading Estate redevelopment. Limited evidence of Bronze Age activity was observed at both sites, including flood defence measures and probable agricultural activity. The major phase of occupation was in the early Romano-British period, where domestic activity, including an in situ tessellated floor surface and associated wall lines indicative of a substantial structure, and small scale industrial activity was concentrated in the area of the High Street site.