Event/Activity EPM117 - Archaeological Watching Brief at the Former Highbury College, Cosham

A watching brief was carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services during the redevelopment of the former Highbury College site, Dovercourt Road, Cosham, for residential use in 2010. Three areas of demolition were monitored during the removal of foundations belonging to the old college building by mechanical digger. The depth of the exavations ranged between 0.80m and 1.50m deep in order to remove various concrete slabs and beams. Where possible spoil was monitored as it was removed and possible archaeological deposits hand-cleaned. Due to the low-lying nature of the site and its proximity to a watercourse, a number of excavated areas rapidly filled with water obscuring the newly-exposed ground, but no features were evident. The watching brief was also originally intended to monitor the groundworks for the new foundations. However, as no finds or features of archaeological significance were observed during the demolition works, and the groundworks for the new building would not reach any deeper than the made ground, it was decided that no further useful monitoring could be achieved. Accession number: 2011/9