Surrey Archaeological Society

Note on trenching by D Williams in 2001 which revealed Roman tiles associated with the Doods Farm tile industry operating around cAD140-230. The trenching also recovered three small prehistoric flints. (358)

Evaluation by E Wragg of PCA prior to development revealed a sequence of mid 17th and 18th century layers and pits, associated with domestic and possibly small-scale industrial activities. Sealed by these deposits was an apparent 13th century horizon of mixed redeposited natural sand and silt. No features were observed in this layer, although only a small area could be examined in the confines of the evaluation trench. Subsequent excavations by H Clough of PCA revealed a large, hitherto unsuspected Medieval water feature, which greatly exceeded the extent of the excavation area.

Fieldwalking by P Harp of Plateau recovered further Lower Palaeolithic pieces of struck flint, including two complete or nearly complete small pointed bifaces (bringing the total number of Palaeolithic flints found recently at this site to 26). These finds are in addition to Palaeolithic pieces (including 1 fragmentary biface) found in the c1970s by T Walls, but not previously recognised as Palaeolithic.

Continuing excavation by P Harp of Plateau of the multi-period site revealed mainly post-glacial lithics of Mesolithic to Bronze Age date, but with occasional suspected Palaeolithic struck flint. A small quantity of Iron Age and Bronze Age pottery was also recovered.

Excavation by P Harp of Plateau and J Scott-Jackson of Oxford University of five test pits recovered 25 pieces of Lower Palaeolithic struck flint, and a moderate quantity of post-glacial struck flint. The Palaeolithic flint was mainly debitage and mostly from ploughsoil, but also from the underlying clay-with-flints, and had no obvious clast orientation. Soil samples were taken for analysis.

Surveying work by Plateau of the Manor House, concentrating on basement levels.

Fieldwalking by J Ede of Plateau recovered a Palaeolithic flake, and a Neolithic or Bronze Age small flaked axe. A general spread of post-glacial lithics, mainly Neolithic or Bronze Age, occurs across the field on the crest of the scarp slope, while there is more Mesolithic struck flint present on the sandier west of the field.

Report on a walkover field survey carried out in 2001 under the direction of L Pontin of AOC in advance of redevelopment of the site as a golf course. The survey located a number of areas of interest containing features of probable Post-Medieval or modern date.

Watching brief by R Ellaby of SyAS during alterations within the grounds, including the excavation of a swimming pool. No features of archaeological interest were revealed, although a few sherds of possible 17th century pottery were noted.