Surrey Archaeological Collections
Surrey Archaeological Society, 2003. (updated 2023) https://doi.org/10.5284/1000221. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 379
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000221
- How to cite using this DOI
SURREY ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Excavation of a multi-period site at Laleham, 1997
An excavation at the site of the former Fairyland Caravan Park, to the west of Laleham village, produced evidence for Middle to Late Iron Age occupation, probably commencing after 300BC. During the three or four centuries prior to the Roman conquest the nucleus of a small riparian farmstead lay immediately to the north-east of the site. Part of an eaves-drip gully, presumably associated with a roundhouse, was recorded, along with ditches, including part of a multi-phase enclosure, and numerous pits. Evidence was recovered to suggest that pottery and other fired-clay objects may have been produced in the immediate vicinity of the site during this period. Although utilization of the site continued into the Late pre-Roman Iron Age, it was seemingly more peripheral to the settlement area than had previously been the case. The site remained in use following the Roman conquest, and indeed it may well have been farmed throughout the entire Roman period. Primary structural evidence of Roman date was, however, not found. Enclosures originally set out in the Middle to Late Iron Age were still being remodelled during the late Roman period. There was some indication, from the ceramic evidence in particular, that there may have been an upsurge in activity during the last century of Roman rule, possibly in relation to the renewed prosperity and regeneration of the Roman town to the north-west at Staines (Pontibus). Although only a relatively small quantity of Saxon pottery was recovered, there was sufficient material to indicate occupation of the site, possibly until as late as the 7th century AD. Apart from a single medieval sherd there was no evidence to suggest that the site was occupied again until the post-medieval period, when part of it may have been used as a market garden.
