Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by L McGaig of WA revealed a palaeochannel and a recent ditch. No palaeoarchaeological remains were identified within the channel.

A second season of excavation by The Church Meadow Project, supported by SyAS and EEHAS and directed by N Cowlard, re-opened the 2012 trench and extended it by a further 30m. Plough damage had removed almost all features above Roman ground level although a previously encountered large pit was found to cut the remains of two Roman wells. The earlier well was roughly square with the shadow of a plank lining and a wooden cask incorporated into its construction, and was cut by the later well. An associated, substantial flint-lined pit or posthole may have supported a windlass.

Geophysical survey by S Haddrell of Stratascan. A detailed gradiometry survey was conducted over c 4ha of grassland, with c 1ha of resistivity survey targeted on the results. A former field boundary and trackway were the only features identified to be of potential archaeological interest.

Geophysical survey by P Dresch and R Chester of WA. A detailed gradiometer survey detected one anomaly of possible archaeological interest with the majority of observed anomalies probably relating to modern activity. The results suggested a dense spread of ferrous responses likely to be modern in origin and strong enough to mask any further archaeological features that may be present.

Excavation by S Nelson and D Hartley of EEHAS. The remains of some of the buildings associated with the gunpowder mills that operated along this upper reach of the Hogsmill river during the 18th and 19th centuries, until the mills closed in c1875, were revealed. Work took place in the area of the Corning House and Mills buildings shown on the 1866 OS map. A plan of 1863 notes those furthest downstream as the Incorporating Mills. Recording concentrated on the Incorporating Mills site where works exposed stretches of brickwork in the left bank of the river.

Watching brief by N Shaikhley of SCAU. The site was found to be heavily disturbed and there were no finds or features of archaeological significance.

Strip, map and sample by R Brown of OA revealed the truncated remains of 19th century railway structures comprising a turntable, a small building and possible platform edges associated with the Hampton Court branch line. The structures were sited on reworked and mechanically compacted gravels although a full sequence of undisturbed Pleistocene gravels and associated fluvial/alluvial deposits was recorded to the west of the structures.

Watching brief by M Wood of AAL (Allen Archaeology Ltd) revealed three pits, one of which was undated, and two of later prehistoric date, containing small quantities of Iron Age pottery and residual early prehistoric worked flint.

Evaluation by T Munnery of SCAU. The earliest material was Late Upper Palaeolithic/Mesolithic and Mesolithic/Neolithic flintwork from later features and overburden although residual, may originate from an occupation site or sites nearby. The most concentrated phase of activity was of Bronze Age, especially Late Bronze Age, date. Pits and ditches and a buried subsoil indicate the utilisation of the site for settlement.

Evaluation by N Randall of SCAU, adjoining that evaluated to the west (below), exposed what may be a natural hollow filled through colluvial or aeolian deposition, two postholes, a narrow ditch, and a possible Middle Iron Age pit.