A third season of excavation in Charlwood took place in March 2017. In an attempt to define the area of research interest six trenches were opened across the field from west to east. (See illustration of site layout). Five of these trenches revealed some archaeological evidence, confirming the existence of parallel ditches which can be followed for c.40m east to west on what is essentially the brow of the hill, and appear to define a southern boundary.
In 2016 a large magnetic anomaly was investigated during the Charlwood excavations and the linear feature partially revealed was tentatively interpreted as a charcoal burning clamp (Bull 457). Charcoal retrieved from this feature was subsequently sent for radiocarbon dating which has resulted in a date between AD1455-1645.
Some limited local history research into Charlwood during these dates has allowed this feature to be provisionally set in context.
The Prehistoric Group has arranged a follow up dayschool with DrMatt Pope (UCL) and Dr Beccy Scott (British Museum) who will lead the group through evaluating Surrey Palaeolithics at Farnham Museum. More details will be on the website in due course or contact the office. Register your interest now.
The 'People of the Heath' project is now in it's final year and has investigated the Petersfield Barrow Cemetery with many interesting finds. The last season of excavation will be from 27th June to 15th July and this talk will discuss the project so far and the aims of the 2017 dig. The director, George Anelay, will be our speaker.
More details about the project can be found on the website: www.peopleoftheheath.com
Submitted by roseh on
Submitted by roseh on
In March 2016 further excavation took place in Charlwood. A trench (T3) was located across a magnetometry anomaly which appeared to be associated with the 'burnt bone' ditch revealed in 2014 (Bull 449). It had been decided that the 2014 feature needed some clarification to determine what the ditch might be related to, having been dated by both pottery analysis and C14 dating to the transition period of the Late Iron Age and early Roman Britain.
A dayschool led by Matt Pope (UCL) on Palaeolithic artefacts has been arranged by the Prehistoric Group. It will be held on Saturday November 12th in the Small Hall of Dorking Christian Centre from 10.30 – 16.30. The cost will be £25 per person with a discounted price of £20 for members of Surrey Archaeological Society or CBA South East. You are encouraged to book a place as soon as possible since places are limited.
Early in 2010 English Heritage approached Surrey Archaeological Society. They had been asked to assess the Abinger Pit Dwelling museum, owned by Cherry Clarke, as the passage of time had left the premises in a state of disrepair. For those of you not familiar with the site it was discovered in 1948 and excavated in 1950 under the direction of L S B Leakey, who was staying in the area. Owned by Major E Beddington-Behrens, living in Abinger Manor, it was regarded of importance and a museum was established, in the field, by the erection of an agricultural build
In 2012 David Williams reported in Bulletin 431 on a Late Iron Age and Early Roman site at Charlwood where a group of coins and other objects had been found by members of the Weald and Downland metal detector club. A magnetometry survey in May 2011 confirmed the possibility of buried archaeological features.
