Surrey Archaeological Society

Landscape study by H Beamish of OAN, undertaken in 2009, and reported in 2010. Desk and topographical survey identified a wide range of features, many of which could be linked to the early use of the area as farmland prior to the creation of the park in the 19th century. These included ponds, quarries, boundaries and enclosures, a number of which were chosen for more detailed measured survey. Resistivity and magnetometry survey by M and A Roseveare of ArchaeoPhysica was also undertaken in an attempt to locate the remains of a Tudor property known from historic records.

Watching brief by S Hind of SCAU during the excavation of a pipe trench. No finds or features of archaeological significance were revealed.

Evaluation by N Randall of SCAU. Two ditches and a pit of Early Iron Age date were revealed, although the quantities of Late Bronze Age pottery within the features also suggested occupation of this date on the site. Some Late Iron Age pottery was also present, together with flintwork of possible Mesolithic/Neolithic–Iron Age date. Subsequent excavations on the site conducted by G Thacker of OAS revealed more of the ditches, together with an additional pit and a posthole of similar provenance.

Contour and terrain survey by D and A Graham of SyAS. A scatter of flint flakes of possible Neolithic date was noted.

Watching brief by S Watson of PCA. Elements of the outer defensive ditch of Pewley Hill Fort, a 19th century Mobilisation Centre, were recorded. The extensive 19th century remodelling of the site to construct the fort resulted in no finds or features pre-dating this period apparently surviving.

Evaluation by J McNicoll-Norbury of TVAS. A single modern ditch terminus was revealed, but no finds or features of archaeological significance.

Evaluation by D Calow of SyAS. Evidence for Romano-British metalworking, including slag, solidified drips and hammerscale were revealed, as was a substantial ditch. A resistivity survey by D and A Graham of SyAS demonstrated the possible location of a structure. This would provide the first suggestion of a building suspected in the area through the discovery of significant quantities of scattered building materials. (423)

Metal detecting by a landowner uncovered a collection of late 3rd or early 4th century items including a copper-alloy bowl, fragments of three glass vessels, c 4kg of fragments of tin ingot or scrap pewter, late 3rd century pottery, iron objects and a small samian patera, so far thought to be unique, made in Rheinzabern and dated by Joanna Bird to AD 280–350. The objects had been buried together in a small pit.

Watching brief by K Grant of ASE during the construction of an access ramp at the front of the site. A number of intercutting burials were revealed, dating to the use of this part of the site for burial between the 15th and 17th centuries. The majority of the individuals were women and children. A wall footing was interpreted as part of the 1578 market building depicted on the 1739 Ichnography of Guildford, and evidence was recorded of a later wall footing, probably related to the octagonal structure that replaced the market building in the 1760s.

Watching brief by W Weller of SCAU. The reconstruction of a front boundary wall afforded the opportunity to examine the area west of the former Great Hall for evidence of a porch. A substantial foundation characteristic of 12th–13th century construction was revealed, but it could not be determined whether it related to a porch or another form of structure.