Survey of the archaeological and historic landscape of the Commons by C Currie of CKC Archaeology, for SCC and the Corporation of London, undertaken with reference to them being proposed as Areas of Historic Landscape Value. In the north of Ashtead Common a number of earthworks and other features surround the site of a Roman villa. The villa is a rare type of corridor villa, with considerable evidence that it adjoined a large scale tile manufactory. Extensive areas of quarries and spoil heaps demonstrate the extent of industrial activity on the site in the Roman period.

Evaluation by M Dover of SCAU, for the Mitchell Evans Partnership, of the site of a new leisure centre within what was formerly Nonsuch Park. Several features were revealed, some of Roman date, some possibly Bronze Age. Only the bases of these features survived, indicating that the use of the site as a nursery had caused a degree of disturbance.

Evaluation by S Ford of TVAS, for St James’ Homes, of the only area of this redevelopment site apparently undisturbed. The results confirmed that the area tested had been largely undisturbed, but little of archaeological interest was revealed. One late post-medieval ditch was recorded and a few pieces of pottery were recovered, including a sherd from a late Medieval pitcher and a sherd from a 12th/13th century cooking pot. A rim sherd from a late 2nd to 3rd century Roman pot was also recovered.

A watching brief carried out during stripping of the site in advance of mineral extraction was followed by an excavation by G Hayman of SCAU later in the year. This extended considerably the area of excavation carried out the previous year. The archaeological work has revealed a variety of features of Late Iron Age and Early Roman origin. These features include numerous ditches, which form parts of field systems and settlement enclosures, with evidence for trackways with ditches to either side.

Recovery by D and A Graham of 455 coins ranging in date from Roman 1st

Watching brief carried out by C Hasler of SyAS on the site of a mobile telephone mast. The site lay directly above the line of the London-Lewes Roman road, which was revealed in the 3x3m foundation pit for the mast. The road was found to be composed of a pebble surface, approximately 0.10m thick, overlying a flint layer of 0.12-0.15m thickness. The width of the road is estimated to be about 6m, although it was apparent that some damage had been caused to the feature previously, probably during the excavation of nearby ponds, and during site levelling which took place 40-60 years ago.

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.

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.