Event/Activity EPM177 - Archaeological Watching Brief at East Street, Spice Island, Portsmouth

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Archaeology South-East during ground works for the installation of new pipework in East Street, Old Portsmouth, in December 2012. The works did not require planning consent as they were a 'permitted development'. However, it was agreed with the Archaeological Advisor to Portsmouth City Council that any ground works over 400m deep within the area should be monitored by an archaeological brief. The watching brief was commissioned by 4Delivery on behalf of Southern Water. The groundworks consisted of the excavation of a trench for a pipe extending east-west along the northern side of East Street for 28.0m, and the excavation of two manhole pits measuring 2.0m x 1.5m. The trench was divided into two segments, east and west. To the east a 6.0m segment of a northwest-southeast trench measuring 0.8m wide extended from an existing manhole in the centre of the road (to the south of Camber Quay) to a new manhole (MH1). This segment had been heavily disturbed by modern services, and the trench depth had to be raised from 1.60m to a maximum of 1.0m along its length. The western segment measured 22.0m, and ran between the new manhole cover (MH1) and a second new manhole. Services were encountered in the mid-section of this segment. A thick concrete plinth 8.0m west of MH1 raised the trench depth to 0.65m. The plinth was probably associated with the construction of the dock. The watching brief was terminated at this point as the remaining excavation would only expose made ground. The natural substrate was not attained. Archaeological deposits and features encountered during the watching brief consisted of a 17th century layer, mid 19th-20th century brick platform and surface, a cobbled road surface constructed on a late 19th - 20th century reinforced concrete plinth connected with access to Camber Quay, and a modern concrete plinth, probably associated with the construction of the harbour. A number of finds were recovered, mainly from the 17th century deposits, which included pottery sherds, clay pipe and animal bone. Environmental samples were also taken from two deposits. Accession number: 2012/932