Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by G Priestly-Bell of ASE in advance of residential redevelopment exposed a number of features, and subsequent excavation revealed remains of a late Iron Age settlement. Limited ceramic evidence suggests the settlement may have begun in the middle Iron Age, although two gullies of possible late Bronze Age or early Iron Age date were also present. The late Iron Age remains comprised significant elements of a probable double ditched enclosure, with a possible entranceway. Post-holes within the enclosure may have represented the site of a structure.

Evaluation by M Dover of SCAU prior to the construction of an extension to the Swan Centre. A single flint tool of Mesolithic or early Neolithic flint was recovered, although this was found within the subsoil rather than any apparent feature. Nothing further of archaeological note was revealed.

Watching brief by M Taylor-Sutton of SutAS during residential redevelopment revealed no archaeological deposits.

Watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU during groundworks involved in the excavation of a new sewer. The exposed sections of the sewer trench were too unstable to be examined safely, so only the general stratigraphy was recorded. The accompanying easement strip removed only the topsoil and so did not impact on the archaeology bearing horizons, but a number of unstratified late Neolithic or early Bronze Age struck flints (3 cores, 4 flakes, 1 retouched flake, 1 notched flake) were recovered from the subsoil and removed topsoil.

Watching brief by J Robertson of SCAU during groundworks associated with the construction of a replacement vestry. No features or evidence of structures earlier than the demolished vestry were revealed. However, a number of finds were recovered from the foundation and services trenches, including three sherds of pottery ranging in date from the Bronze Age to the middle Iron Age, three pieces of struck flint, and several pieces of calcined flint, providing evidence of prehistoric activity in the vicinity.

Watching brief by N Shaikhley of SCAU and members of the WCMS on a network of caves identified on the site during work last year. The caves are believed to have been created in the 17th or 18th centuries, at a similar time to others present along the High Street and South Street. Their primary function appear to be as a source of high quality sand, although their subsequent uses appear to have been varied, including modification to use as a World War II air raid shelter.

Resistivity survey and excavation by G Rapson of a section of a cropmark, previously recorded as a possible Roman camp, revealed an Iron Age ditch. The section was located close to the entrance and contained charcoal-rich deposits, the lowest of which included a large variety of unabraded sherds of burnished pottery. Upper layers included bead rims and grey sandy wares of probable 1st century BC or 1st century AD date. A sample of well preserved animal bone, including the skull of a red deer stag from which the antlers had been sawn off, was recovered from the ditch.

Recording by G Rapson of a large earthwork, which is possibly part of the remains of a fortified Norman manor house known from documentary evidence as Black Hawes Castle. A sherd from a 12th or 13th century cooking pot was recovered in the garden below the earthwork. (357)

Landscape assessment by N Bannister, and volunteers from SyAS, for the Woodlands Trust, involving the recording of features identified from maps and documents, as well as previously unknown earthworks. The most frequent features recorded were banks and ditches associated with former land divisions. The lack of features relating to woodland management such as charcoal hearths, saw pits, timber extraction routes, is typical of a Post-Medieval wood in this area located on former farmland.

Watching brief by J Stevenson of SCAU during the construction of facilities for the disabled revealed 19th century brick vaults, together with the foundations of the 15th century tower. A curious flint and greensand “spur” was found to have been built into the foundations. This did not support any known or previously demolished feature, and there is no satisfactory explanation for its function.