Event/Activity EPM112 - Archaeological Watching Brief at the Northern End of Fratton Road, Portsmouth

A watching brief was carried out by Southampton Archaeology Unit on a gas pipe trench at the northern end of Fratton Road in February 2009. The trench was excavated by mechanical digger and measured 70m long, 0.70m wide and 1.10m deep. It was situated on Fratton Road between Church Road and St. Mary's Road. The groundworks were observed and a rapid record was made of the archaeology revealed. The site was located within an area of archaeological potential covering the original Manor of Fratton, which is defined as being of principle importance for medieval and post-medieval archaeology. Summary of results: A gravel road surface revealed during the works showing where Church Road once met Fratton Road, suggested that Church Road had extended further east and that the west side of Fratton Road was originally located further to the east. The remains of tenements along Fratton Road, represented by brick and limestone footings, were observed along the length of the trench. As these ran at a different angle to the modern day Fratton Road, they suggested the road originally ran more northeast-southwest and was located further to the east than its present position. A pit containing cow metacarpals and metatarsals, fragments of brick, a fragment of 18/19th century Verwood pottery and 19th century glass, was also observed. The archaeology stopped soon after the northern drive way to the vicarage, just before 247 Fratton Road. Accession Number: 2009/52