Event/Activity EPM165 - Archaeological Evaluation at Governor's Green Portsmouth

Wessex Archaeology excavated four trial trenches on Governor's Green in May 2009 as part of an archaeological investigation for the Channel 4 series 'Time Team'. A geophysical survey was carried out prior to the excavation of the trenches. The investigation had three aims: to determine the date sequence of sub-surface archaeological remains e.g. medieval Domus Dei hospital and 16th century Governor's House, and establish their use, development, destruction etc; to establish the condition of any sub-surface archaeological remains, to inform future management of the site; to determine the extent of sub-surface archaeological remains, as far as possible by non-invasive means and targeted trenching. The trenches varied in size, and were excavated by a 360 degree tracked machine with toothless bucket. Excavation by machine was stopped once significant archaeological remains were encountered, and the trenches were then cleaned by hand in order to investigation archaeological deposits. A metal detector was used to scan the deposits at various stages of the excavation, and the spoil from the trenches was also scanned. The trenches were backfilled with the spoil that had been removed during the excavation once the work was completed. A number of features associated with the Domus Dei, 16th century Governor's House, and later activity on the site were identified during the evaluation. Accession number: 2009/108