Event/Activity EPM130 - Archaeological Watching Brief at the Red Rose, Southampton Road (The Former Johnson & Johnson site, Phase 2)

A watching brief was carried out by Southern Archaeological Services on groundworks associated with the development of the Red Rose site, Paulsgrove (the eastern part of the former Johnson and Johnson site) on the 13, 20, 28 and 31 August 2007 and 9 January 2008. The site lies within an area of archaeological potential, identified as being of particular importance for prehistoric archaeology. The watching brief primarily consisted of the observation and recording of the excavation of a deep rectangular foundation trench (no measurements given in report). The trench was dug in order to establish the depth required for the footings of an industrial building at the western end of the site. Groundworks across the remainder of the site were not intended to be deep enough to be of much interest, as most of the area was set aside for car parking. The upper deposits in these areas had also been disturbed by the pre-existing Southampton Road. Groundworks for the installation of new services along Southampton Road to the west of the site were partially observed. The watching brief was terminated on 9 January 2008, as it was agreed that no significant information could be gained from further observations on the site. No significant archaeological deposits or finds were recovered. Modern groundworks appeared to have largely disturbed and truncated the site. Accession number: 2007/218