Continuing excavation by G Hayman of SCAU south of those areas excavated in previous years revealed further features of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman date. The Bronze Age features consisted mostly of ditches belonging to a co-axial field system that developed during the Late Bronze Age, but also included one large pit and a small pit or posthole. The field system has been traced across all areas of the quarry that have been examined since work began in 1999 and extends for an unknown distance beyond it.

Archaeological monitoring by N Crank of AS during alterations to, and extensions at the rear of, the hotel revealed a small quantity of residual Roman pottery, but no archaeological features.

Geophysical survey by A Bartlett of BCC, with a supplementary evaluation by P Jones of SCAU, in order to test the potential effectiveness of geophysical survey over the site. A number of magnetic anomalies were detected, although no corresponding archaeological features were revealed, suggesting that full geophysical survey of the site would not be productive. Subsequent evaluation involving the excavation of 464 trenches by A Taylor of TVAS in advance of possible mineral extraction revealed a wide range of finds and deposits.

Evaluation by E Eastbury of MoLAS prior to redevelopment found that most of the site had suffered severe truncation of any potential deposits during the construction of the existing buildings. A small area was found to contain a deep feature, containing stratified material dating from the Late Neolithic to Roman periods. Owing to the large size of the feature, its extent or exact nature could not be verified. A subsequent watching brief on the area where the feature was presumed to continue provided no further information.

Evaluation by P Jones of SCAU prior to a proposed residential development. A number of features were found relating to a previously known Roman tilery, together with numerous examples of roof and floor tiles, dated by association with pottery to the 2nd/3rd centuries. No evidence for kiln structures presumed to exist in the area was noted at this stage.

Recording by D Williams of SCC of Roman pottery in a length of ditch exposed during the creation of a basement. (365)

Ongoing research excavation by P Harp of Plateau continued to recover later prehistoric artefacts. In the 2003 season, approximately 100 pieces of struck flint and ten sherds of late prehistoric pottery were recovered from just beneath the plough-soil. An additional test pit was excavated as part of the Time Team `Big Dig’; finds consisted mainly of Bronze Age struck flint, one sherd of Bronze Age pottery, one rim sherd of Late Roman pottery and three fragments of medieval roof tile

A field survey, watching brief and excavation by J Perry of SutAS was undertaken in advance of sand extraction and close to a prehistoric and Roman site previously excavated by D Williams. The field survey and watching brief revealed quantities of Neolithic and Bronze Age struck flint, burnt flint and some Mesolithic struck flint. A small quantity of Bronze Age, Roman and medieval pottery was also recovered. These finds were spread over the whole field though there was a concentration of finds, particularly Bronze Age, at the highest point.

Metal detector survey under the direction of D Williams of SCC and A and D Graham of SyAS recovered metal objects of Roman, medieval and later date, and a single pottery sherd of possible Iron Age date. The survey shed no light on the interpretation of a circular enclosure identified on aerial photographs of the site. (Bulletin 369)