Event/Activity EPM181 - Archaeological Watching Brief at Portsdown Technology Park

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Wessex Archaeology on groundworks associated with the development of a temporary single-storey building at Portsdown Technology Park in 2014. The groundworks comprised soil stripping, the removal of existing paving and levelling of the site, and the excavation of foundations associated with the construction of a temporary office building. Where possible, mechanical excavation was undertaken using a toothless ditching bucket, and was monitored by an archaeologist. The initial excavations were monitored, but the watching brief was terminated with the agreement of the County Archaeologist (advising Portsmouth City Council) when it was evident that no archaeologcial remains were present. The construction formation level in part of the site was above the natural geology, and it was thought likely that any buried archaeological remains that may exist in this area would remain relatively undisturbed by the development. It was evident that utility installations, previous development and landscaping had caused disturbance and truncation of the site, and are likely to have damaged/destroyed any buried archaeological remains. No archaeological features of finds were revealed during the watching brief. Accession No: 2014/276