Event/Activity EPM132 - Archaeological Evaluation at the Former Wightlink Workshops, The Camber, Broad Street, Old Portsmouth

An archaeological evaluation was carried out at the site of the former Wighlink workshops in Broad Street by Southern Archaeological Services in 2007. The purpose of the evaluation was to further investigate evidence of clay-lined timber structures and limestone walls revealed during an earlier watching brief on geotechnical test pits on the site, also carried out by Southern Archaeological Services (no details of this fieldwork are held by the HER). A total of four trenches, numbered 14-17, were excavated by a tracked mini-digger, and the spoil scanned for unstratified finds. Trench 14 measured 1m x 10m x 2m, and was positioned to the west of a test pit where a clay-lined timber structure had been exposed. The remaining trenches 15-17 measured 1m x 3m x 3m, and were located adjacent to three test pits where a limestone wall had been observed. There was some variation in the dimensions of the trenches, due to difficulty machining through reinforced concrete. The evaluation confirmed the existence of two clay-lined timber structures which possibly functioned as water containers for supply boats. Limestone walls exposed in three of the trenches probably belonged to 17th/18th century buildings which formerly stood on the site, including the Star and Garter and Ship Worcester public houses. Accession no. 2007/4