Watching Brief at Tesco Extra New Malden, Surrey

It was intended that a profile of the stratigraphy and environmental potential be compiled by the initial monitoring and recording of two lines of six post pads: one parallel with and one perpendicular to the book, with further work undertaken if requested by Mr. Whitehead. The monitoring and recording was undertaken by a OA supervisor undertaking regular visits to the site timed to coincide with the excavation of the post pads. During this time both the base and the sections of the excavations were closely observed for features and the spoil examined for dating evidence. A site plan showing the location of the excavations and the sections was compiled at a scale of 1:100 together with sample sections of the stratigraphy drawn at a scale of 1:20. All features and deposits were issued with unique context numbers, and context recording was in accordance with established OA Field Manual (OAU 1992). Colour transparency and black-and-white negative photographs were taken during the ground-works to demonstrate the stratigraphy and sections. The watching brief was undertaken in accordance with relevant professional standards, including the IFA's Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Evaluations 1992 and the Archaeological Guidance Papers issued by the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service, especially Guidance Paper 3, Standards and Practices in Archaeological Fieldwork in London, and Guidance Paper 4, Archaeological Reports. In February 2004 Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an archaeological watching brief at the Tesco Extra site at New Malden, Surrey. The work was commissioned by BMD Architects in advance of the erection of an extension and canopy to the existing bulk store. The watching brief revealed that the area had been heavily truncated with any original overburden being removed down to the top of the underlying alluvial clay, probably during the original construction of the Tesco store. No evidence for archaeological remains or activity was encountered. As this was a sterile site MoL was contacted and it has been agreed with Robin Lockyer that only the OASIS upload is required. The documentary archive will not be deposited to MoL.