Surrey Archaeological Collections 82

A coin hoard was deposited at the site in the period following the Claudian conquest of southern Britain. The first conclusive evidence of the religious nature of the site was in the form of a dedicatory deposit preceding the construction of a Romano-Celtic type temple in stone after the middle of the second century. The temple, together with at least one ancillary building, probably continued in use into the second half of the fourth century when demolition took place. The report begins with a `Preface and acknowledgement' by D G Bird (6-8), followed by the introduction, which includes brief mention of the setting and geology, catalogue of contexts (microfiche 2-4), and `Evidence for the later history of the site' by Shirley Corke (10 & 12). There follow details of the excavations, including earliest use of the site and pre-temple activity. The construction of the temple and ancillary buildings, its demolition and robbing out and later use of the site are also detailed, as is damage due to later treasure hunting. The finds section begins with `The coins' by C Cheesman (31-92) which includes appendices on `Possible Wanborough coins in the National Museum of Wales' (90), `Later Roman coins from the Wanborough site' (90-1) and `Results of the spectrographic analysis of selected coins' (92). Details of the excavated coins by phase are to be found in the microfiche (33-41). `Other finds excluding pottery' by Joanna Bird (93-132) has details of the copper alloy chain link headresses, three with wheel terminals that may indicate the Celtic Jupiter, the sceptres, and other religious objects including miniature axe pendants which may have been amulets, and ritual shears in copper alloy. These religious finds constitute the largest group of such to be found, and there is some discussion as to their significance. Specialist examination of all `Objects of copper alloy' (98-125) provides analyses of the material in its various guises, including the religious assemblage just mentioned along with earlier prehistoric palstave, spearhead, and sword hilts. Copper alloy brooches, rings, and miscellaneous objects are also listed. There is a `Report on the XRF analysis of six artefacts from Wanborough, Surrey' by M R Cowell (microfiche 42), a pear-shaped lead object, and objects of iron -- mostly nails. Metalworking debris and glass follow, the latter including beads and a small vessel. Clay loomweights, worked flint, and the quernstones complete the section. `The Roman pottery' by Joanna Bird (133-59) includes `Potters' stamps on samian ware' by Brenda Dickinson (137-8), and a catalogue of the Roman pottery. `The building material' by Joanna Bird (159-61) includes tiles with animal prints, and this is followed by `The animal remains' by Pat Nicolaysen (161-4) including shells. Finally there is a discussion and conclusions along with an extensive bibliography.

A narrow-gauge tramway was installed in 1885 and ran until the works closed in 1920. It was extended several times in order to service new sections of the factory which were built for the manufacture of a different form of gunpowder and the modern propellant cordite. Information, deduced from documentary sources and physical remains, is presented on the layout of the tramway, the track, the bridges and the trams. A swingbridge, which carried a branch of the tramway across the millstream to the local railway station survives.

Précis of work during the year, both in the administrative county and the south-west London boroughs.

Reports analytical ground survey by RCHME. A univallate hillfort earthwork with remaining traces of a second, outer, rampart can be seen. The best preservation occurs to the west where the rampart stands to 1m high, fronted by a ditch. The north and east sides are more difficult to define, and a number of terraces appear to be in evidence. Several paths interrupt the line of the defences including the fourteenth-century `King's way from Chertsey to the chapel of St Ann' and the London to Winchester coach road, as well as the modern variety. The hillfort remains undated, although multi-period chance finds indicate frequent if not continuous use over several periods.

Reports a greyish-brown chert projectile point with asymmetrical sides which may indicate it is a native N American item dating from cAD200. The circumstances of its deposition are unknown and it may also be a modern replica.