Fieldwalking by the BSAG of an area where cropmarks have been identified on aerial photos. Numerous pieces of worked flint were recovered, as well as some burnt flint. Apart from a couple of pieces of Roman pottery, the bulk of the pottery recovered was medieval (late 12th/early 13th) and post-medieval. A resistivity survey was also carried out, that confirmed the presence of a number of features.

Excavation by SHAHT, under the direction of G Cole, to the rear of 36-40 High Street. The earliest feature revealed was a wide flat-bottomed ditch which may have been one of the fish ponds known to have existed on the site from documentary records. Sherds of Coarse Border Ware vessels of 14th century date were recovered from the base of the ditch; from the middle of the 16th century the ditch was infilled by rubbish. To the north-west of the ditch was a flint cobbled surface; tothe south east of the ditch was evidence for a post-constructed building with a trampled sand and clay floor.

Report on a wall painting revealed during renovation works. The paintings were recorded by G Pattison of SCAU and P Gray of SyAS. The building itself appears to be 14th century in origin, with a 16th century rebuild. The paintings were revealed on two walls of a downstairs room and probably represent 16th and 17th century decoration, possibly relating to the building’s use as an inn. (317, 321)

Evaluation by G Hayman of SCAU, for Airways Housing Society Ltd, in advance of residential development in the grounds of this 17th century building. A number of ditches were identified, of both Roman and early medieval (11th-12th century) date. The recovery of a number of pieces of struck and burnt flint also suggests prehistoric activity. A subsequent watching brief on construction revealed little more. (314, 321)

Excavation by J Robertson of SCAU for the Metropolitan Police Service followed on from evaluation in 1995; the site for the new police station lies on the fringes of the Roman and later settlement of Staines. The excavation revealed a number of ditches that had been cut parallel to the roadline.

Evaluation and subsequent excavation was carried out by J Robertson of SCAU for Nicholas King Homes, before residential development of the school grounds. The site lies outside the Roman and medieval settlement of Staines but in close proximity to the parish church. Numerous features of late Saxon date were revealed, confirming that there had been some shift of settlement during that period away from the site of the Roman town. Some features of Saxo-Norman date were identified, but insufficient to establish whether Duncroft was the site of Staines’ Manor House.

Evaluation and subsequent excavation by J McKinley of Wessex, for MEPC, was carried out in advance of the redevelopment of the estate. The evaluation identified three broad zones within the site: the edge of the town gravel island, a broad alluvium filled channel to the north and, beyond this, a second gravel island. Subsequent work concentrated on the two islands. Excavation on the northern island (centred at TQ 033 719) recorded part of an enclosure/field system of Bronze Age date and another of Roman date, as well as agricultural features from the medieval period.

Evaluation by J McKinley of Wessex, for MEPC, as part of an application for development. The results suggest that the higher ground south of the ditch was augmented in the medieval, and possibly Roman, periods by dumping, with the low lying land north of the ditch remaining prone to flooding. In the post-medieval period the build up of material across this northern area presumably led to the need for a formal drainage ditch to be constructed.

Evaluation by D Hopkinson of AOC, on behalf of Nicholas King Homes, in advance of residential redevelopment revealed a number of features, including a possible cultivation mark containing a sherd of mid to late Bronze Age pottery. Subsequently an area excavation was carried out by R Entwistle of AOC and a watching brief was also maintained on the development. A small assemblage of Mesolithic flints was recovered, as well as some sherds of Neolithic and early Bronze Age pottery.

Observation by S Hind and R Poulton of SCAU, for Reservoir Aggregates Ltd, of topsoil stripping in advance of phase 5 of mineral extraction revealed only a couple of pieces of medieval pottery, a flint flake and occasional pieces of burnt flint.