Archaeologists digging in a village in Surrey to try to find a lost Saxon settlement say some of their discoveries are “really exciting”.<\/p>\n
The excavations are taking place near a 12th Century church beside the River Tillingbourne at Albury.<\/p>\n
As well as the Saxon settlement, the dig has unearthed objects dating back to Roman and even prehistoric times.<\/p>\n
Dr Anne Sassin, community archaeologist, told Secret Surrey<\/a>: “What a lot of people don’t realise is how much exciting buried archaeology there is here.”<\/p>\n She added: “When you go outside you only see a couple of buildings, the church and the manor house.<\/p>\n “But there previously was possibly an entire medieval village, maybe Saxon in origin.”<\/p>\n Sassin said the site was “very appealing” to archaeologists.<\/p>\n “It’s because of all of the hidden lumps and bumps and the landscape, what’s underneath the surface,” she said.<\/p>\n “Even when you look across the river you can see different terraces and field boundaries.”<\/p>\n Surrey Archaeological Society has been working since 2023 to learn more about the village that once stood along the banks of the River Tillingbourne.<\/p>\n The archaeologists have unearthed lots of building material and pottery, around 2,500 pieces dating as far back as prehistoric times.<\/p>\n Sassin said: “It’s really exciting, actually.<\/p>\n “My favourite find was our first Roman coin, which indicates a settlement which we didn’t know of before.<\/p>\n “I’d love to find signs of actual medieval houses.<\/p>\n “We know where activity took place, but we haven’t yet found structural evidence.”<\/p>\n She added: “This is all about inspiring the next generation of archaeologists and trying to get them to want to be involved and excited about their local history and heritage.”<\/p>\n Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, and on Instagram<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n More on this storyRelated internet links