Medieval

1066-1600

Cobham Park, Cobham

Evaluation by J English and D Taylor of SyAS on the site of a former cottage and suspected trackway in the form of a linear earthwork. A demolition deposit relating to the cottage was found to contain roof and floor tiles, brick and pottery dating from the late medieval period to the 20th century. Examination of the earthwork revealed only compacted soils, although a number of undiagnostic flint flakes were recovered.

Church Farm, Tatsfield

Excavation by S Smith as part of research for a television documentary series entitled ‘Tywysogion’ on the Welsh princes c 900–1420. Documentary research indicated that Tatsfield was in the possession of Rhodri ap Gruffudd – brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Prince of Wales until his death in 1282) – and his descendants during the 14th century. The work consisted of the excavation of a number of test pits on possible earthworks, identified from aerial photograph and field survey observations, suggested as the remains of the medieval manor house of Tatsfield.

Great and Little Earls Woods, Oxted

Archaeological assessment by N Bannister for the Woodlands Trust revealed that wood banks are the predominant archaeological feature. These are likely to be at least medieval and probably date from when the woods were enclosed to prevent stock grazing. The woods were once much larger, and reduced earthworks on the western side suggests that subsequent fields or assarts were created by clearing areas of the woodland. Ditches of 19th century date, dug to aid drainage in the woods, and evidence of Second World War military activity in the form of slit trenches, were also discovered.

Hengrove Farm, Staines

Continuing excavation by G Hayman of SCAU revealed further features of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman date, as well as some of early medieval origin. Most features dated to the Bronze Age, and included ditches, waterholes, and numerous small pits and postholes. An area of concentration of pits and postholes is likely to have once been a Middle Bronze Age settlement, although no dwellings were recognised, and only one four-posted structure was identified.

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton

Evaluation by H Clough of PCA in advance of the construction of a workshop extension revealed two ditches of probable Bronze Age origin, a palaeochannel which may be prehistoric, medieval agricultural features, a late 18th or early 19th century wall, and residual burnt and worked flint, abraded Roman pottery and a piece of unabraded Saxo-Norman pottery. Subsequent monitoring of two geotechnical test pits within the proposed footprint of the workshop revealed only modern deposits.

Whitehall Lane/Milton Park Farm, Egham

Ongoing evaluation, continuing from the work carried out in 2003, by A Taylor of TVAS in advance of possible mineral extraction on this site. Material recovered included stray and residual finds of Upper Palaeolithic date, as well as Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age flintwork. Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval pottery was also found as well as occupation evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval dates.

The Close, Abbey Gardens, Chertsey

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU prior to the construction of an extension to a property standing within the Scheduled area of the former Chertsey Abbey. A number of archaeological layers were revealed, the earliest of which appeared to date from around the time of the Norman reconstruction of the abbey which began in 1110, possibly during clearance of the site prior to construction works.

Guildford Castle, Guildford

Evaluation and excavation by R Poulton of SCAU prior to the installation of a new floor and external staircase to the castle keep. Material examined from within the keep suggested that a fairly substantial 19th century deposit extended to at least 0.5m below the current ground surface. This material was not excavated to its full depth. A trench in the area of the proposed staircase produced similar results to the investigations in 2001, where it was found that possible medieval deposits relating to the construction of the castle exist very close to the current ground surface.

St Martha’s Church, St Martha’s Hill, Chilworth

Geophysical survey along the line of a proposed water pipeline and the excavation of a trench at the west end of the church by D Graham and members of SyAS. The trench revealed a layer of building rubble and mortar probably resulting from reconstruction work on the church in the mid-19th century; this lay directly above undisturbed yellow sand. The sequence indicates that the top of the hill had been levelled, although it was not possible to ascertain when this took place, though it is likely to have preceded the construction of the medieval church.

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