Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by P Harris of AOC prior to the construction of a noise abatement bund did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest.

Geophysical survey by D and A Graham of SyAS on the site of an aerial photograph anomaly. Evidence for a possible field system and droveway heading in the direction of the Roman site to the south-east was revealed. Subsequent fieldwalking of the site produced some Mesolithic flakes, but no firm evidence by which the apparent features could be dated.

Survey of the limekiln beside Hambledon church by R Williams of SyAS during repair works. The feature was measured and photographed, and a small investigation revealed the floor of the kiln to be 0.75m below the current ground surface, indicating a significant build-up of material since the kiln ceased operation. (411)

Fieldwalking by SyAS and EEHAS, under the direction of N Cowlard, of a number of fields in the area as part of the Ewell Hinterland Project. Two coins and one small pottery sherd of possible Roman date were recovered together with a little post-medieval pottery. (423)

Watching brief by N Cowlard of EEHAS did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by S Holden of PCA recovered residual prehistoric flints and Bronze Age and Roman pottery, but later post-medieval deposits immediately overlying the natural horizon suggests the site was subject to landscaping in the 19th century.

Third and fourth seasons of excavation led by H Sheldon of BC and J Cotton of EEHAS, on an area of higher ground overlooking the Roman settlement of Ewell and Stane Street and where traces of Roman activity were located in the 1970s. The aim of both seasons of work was to build on investigation of areas examined during previous seasons, and define more clearly the areas dug in the 1970s; both revealed further prehistoric, Roman, and later deposits. (409, 414, 422)

Watching brief during 2007 and 2008 by D Brooks of Bourne Hall Museum during refurbishment of the presumed 16th century building. The building was recorded by the DBRG as it was stripped back and its 16th century origin confirmed. The excavation of a trench for new footings within the building revealed a layer of burnt timber containing pottery of late medieval date over a mortar/chalk floor or surface, suggestive of the presence of an earlier building on the site, which had been destroyed by fire.

Watching brief by N Cowlard and S Nelson of EEHAS revealed a small group of struck flints and some redeposited Roman pottery but mostly evidence of post-medieval and modern activity across the site.

Evaluation by S Holden of PCA revealed evidence of prehistoric activity in the form of residual finds, a probable gully of early Roman date, and post-medieval remains including an element of an 18th century structure and 19th century landscaping. The evaluation illustrated that archaeological remains lie at a depth that will not be impacted upon by most of the groundworks involved in the development proposed for the site, and they will be preserved in situ beneath it.