Roman

24-32 Kingston Road, Staines

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, on behalf of United House Construction, was carried out in advance of redevelopment. Two phases of flood deposits (Roman and post-Roman) were revealed below modern disturbance. These in turn overlay natural brickearth and gravels. The evaluation found no evidence for Roman or earlier features sealed by the flood deposits; in particular no trace of the possible Roman ditch identified by the Spelthorne Archaeological Field Group, during their work in 1992, was revealed in either trial trench.

Central Trading Estate, Staines

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.

Sweep’s Ditch, Staines

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.

The Close, Vicarage Road, Staines

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.

Home Farm, Laleham

Evaluation by G Hayman of SCAU of Phase 5 (and parts of 6A and 9) of this mineral extraction site, for Greenham Construction Materials Ltd, revealed a number of features of prehistoric date. Subsequent area excavation (centred TQ 062 686) revealed a number of small pits and post holes and a substantial waterlogged pit -believed to be a waterhole, all likely to be of Bronze Age date. Two ditches found running roughly parallel to one another, six metres apart, could be the remains of a contemporaneous trackway. (311, 314)

Wey Manor Farm, Addlestone

Excavations (centred TQ 063 630) by G Hayman of SCAU, for Ready Mixed Concrete (UK) Ltd, followed earlier evaluation. The work confirmed the presence of Iron Age and Roman settlement; some medieval features were also identified. (314) Evaluation by M Dover of SCAU of Phase 4 of this mineral extraction site (centred TQ 057 635) revealed two areas with some archaeological interest. Both produced gullies or ditches containing prehistoric, probably Bronze Age, pottery. Other features were of post-medieval date. Finds recovered include an obliquely blunted point microlith. (321)

Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU, for RMC Aggregates (UK) Ltd, in advance of mineral extraction. Although no features of archaeological interest were revealed, a number of stray finds indicate activity relating to the prehistoric, Roman, possibly Saxon, and medieval periods. A watching brief was subsequently maintained on stripping of the first phase for extraction and a pit and possible post hole were recorded. Both features contained a mix of finds ranging from struck flints, through Saxon grass-tempered pottery to medieval and post-medieval pottery. (321

Land adjacent to Chapel Way, Burgh Heath

Evaluation and excavation by J Saunders of TVAS, for Linden Homes, of land to be residentially developed. A number of prehistoric flints were recovered, but the earliest features recorded date to the 1st - mid 2nd centuries AD and probably represent part of a field system. Also present was a pit containing mid-late 2nd century pottery, most of which was typical of a low status rural settlement. Two post-hole sized features, probably both Roman, contained cremated bone, analysis of which suggests they were sheep/goat.

Walton Heath, Walton-on-the-Hill

Observation by S Dyer, for SyAS, of disturbance caused by the excavation of a series of trenches for an irrigation system on the golf course, adjacent to the Roman villa. North of the villa site a concentration of Romano-British tile was observed but these may have been redeposited previously, to infill a hollow of some kind. Elsewhere a few sherds of greyware pottery were recovered. The disturbance was also observed by the BHRG who collected a quantity of Roman pottery, mainly 3rd century greywares, and also noted the concentration of tegula and imbrex tiles. (313)

Franks’ Sandpit, Betchworth

Excavation by D W Williams, for SyAS and SCC’s Planning Dept, continued. The full extent of the prehistoric pit concentration was confirmed, with no sign of an encircling ditch or other defining boundary. A preliminary examination of the pottery recovered from these features indicates that conjoining pieces of Grooved Ware were deposited in different pits, although no vessel appears to be completely reconstructable. Examination of the pottery associated with the later enclosure to the south suggests usage from the very Late Iron Age through to the early 2nd century AD. (307)

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