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HER 884 - Caesar's 's camp, medieval enclosure, Staines

Scheduled Monument
A double ditched rectangular enclosure, known as Caesar's camp. However, this is probably not a Roman Fort. A geophysical survey followed by excavation during 1989 attempted to establish the date and degree of survival of the enclosure known from aerial photography. Results were inconclusive but the enclosure seems to be medieval. Evidence of Bronze Age occupation in the area marked out by the later enclosure was noted. Further excavation by SCAU during 1992 confirmed the medieval date of “Caesar's Camp” although its function is still obscure. It was probably constructed in the 12th century and backfilled by the 14th. Traces of Bronze Age settlement were located including ditches and a pit. Further geophysical survey was carried out in 2000 as part of a university project, in order to test for the existence of an eastern enclosure to the Caesar’s Camp earthwork, as defined by William Stukeley in 1723. A number of new features were identified (see HER 5130), including the remains of a possible banjo enclosure and a kiln site. A possible Roman building was also noted, although this could not be confirmed. The area of the Caesar’s camp Scheduled Monument was re-plotted, and revealed what appeared to be the remains of a circular ditch within the enclosure. Stukeley’s eastern enclosure was not conclusively identified, although what appeared to be an extremely large ditch was revealed in the approximate area, the dimensions of which suggest it is not contemporary with the Scheduled feature.

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Related Records

• SHHER_847
• SHHER_5130

Archaeological History

Activity	Person & Organisation	Dates
magnetometry survey	McMurray, M SCAU	2000-08-23
Location Surrey, Spelthorne, Laleham, Grid Reference TQ 053 706 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Unknown McMurray, M document more... Reference A Summary of work at Matthew Arnold and Saxon County Schools 2000-2001 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1989-01-01
Location Surrey, Spelthorne, Laleham, Grid Reference TQ 053 706 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Excavations at the Matthew Arnold School, Laleham, Surrey: An Archaeological Evaluation and Survey of 'Caesars Camp'. Reference 31/12/90 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
trial trench	Jones, P SCAU	1990-07-01
Description "Caesar's Camp" is almost certainly a medieval earthwork that pre-dates the 14th century. Little evidence was found of the eastern, ancillary enclosure that Stukeley claimed to have identified, although two Bronze Age parallel ditches and an irregular pit were revealed. The use to which the earthwork was put remains unknown. It is recommended that the site's status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument be maintained. [AIP] [SMR Primary Record Numbers: 884 Location Surrey, Spelthorne, Laleham, Grid Reference TQ 053 706 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Council Jones, P document more... Reference Archaeological Evaluation Work in 1990 at 'Caesars Camp', Laleham, Surrey Reference 31/07/90 Reference "Caesar's Camp" is almost certainly a medieval earthwork that pre-dates the 14th century. Little evidence was found of the eastern, ancillary enclosure that Stukeley claimed to have identified, although two Bronze Age parallel ditches and an irregular pit were revealed. The use to which the earthwork was put remains unknown. It is recommended that the site's status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument be maintained. [AIP] [SMR Primary Record Numbers: 884 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
Ref: Research volume of the Surrey Archaeological Society Ref: 31/12/76	3	Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/90	80	Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/01	88	Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: A Summary of work at Matthew Arnold and Saxon County Schools 2000-2001		Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/92	81	Surrey HER1 part		211

Source

Details	Volume	Holding Information	Publisher Information	Pages
magnetometry survey	McMurray, M SCAU	2000-08-23
Location Surrey, Spelthorne, Laleham, Grid Reference TQ 053 706 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Unknown McMurray, M document more... Reference A Summary of work at Matthew Arnold and Saxon County Schools 2000-2001 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1989-01-01
Location Surrey, Spelthorne, Laleham, Grid Reference TQ 053 706 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Excavations at the Matthew Arnold School, Laleham, Surrey: An Archaeological Evaluation and Survey of 'Caesars Camp'. Reference 31/12/90 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
trial trench	Jones, P SCAU	1990-07-01
Description "Caesar's Camp" is almost certainly a medieval earthwork that pre-dates the 14th century. Little evidence was found of the eastern, ancillary enclosure that Stukeley claimed to have identified, although two Bronze Age parallel ditches and an irregular pit were revealed. The use to which the earthwork was put remains unknown. It is recommended that the site's status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument be maintained. [AIP] [SMR Primary Record Numbers: 884 Location Surrey, Spelthorne, Laleham, Grid Reference TQ 053 706 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Council Jones, P document more... Reference Archaeological Evaluation Work in 1990 at 'Caesars Camp', Laleham, Surrey Reference 31/07/90 Reference "Caesar's Camp" is almost certainly a medieval earthwork that pre-dates the 14th century. Little evidence was found of the eastern, ancillary enclosure that Stukeley claimed to have identified, although two Bronze Age parallel ditches and an irregular pit were revealed. The use to which the earthwork was put remains unknown. It is recommended that the site's status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument be maintained. [AIP] [SMR Primary Record Numbers: 884 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
Ref: Research volume of the Surrey Archaeological Society Ref: 31/12/76	3	Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/90	80	Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/01	88	Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: A Summary of work at Matthew Arnold and Saxon County Schools 2000-2001		Surrey HER1 part		211
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/92	81	Surrey HER1 part		211

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