Event/Activity EPM188 - Archaeological Watching Brief on Ariadne Phase II, Gunwharf Quays

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Gifford and Partners during groundworks for the second stage of the re-development of the site of the Ariadne block (Ariadne Phase II) at Gunwharf Quays in May and June 2004. The new development consisted of a day nursery, dwellings, cycle and parking facilities, which included a decked car park and landscaping. A watching brief was requested as the site lay within the south-east corner of the Old Gunwharf (built 1709-1715), at the eastern end of a causeway connecting the towns of Portsmouth and Portsea. A number of 18th, 19th and 20th century naval buildings had also been located within the site, namely, Ariadne built 1923, Donegal Lodge built 1897, and the original 18th century Armoury and civilian domestic buildings. A service road divided the site into two sections. In the south, groundworks comprised the excavation of two trenches measuring 3m x 4m x 3m deep. The trenches were excavated in order to install a bypass pipeline for a live Victorian foul water sewer, the installation of new sewers, and construction of foundations for the new building. Deposits within the upper 2m of the trenches were recorded in detail, the trenches were then shored, and a measured sketch was made of deposits removed from within the lower 1m section. Groundworks in the north of the site comprised the excavation and removal of below ground obstructions to a depth of 2.5-3m, the re-deposition of disturbed sediments, and levelling of the site. The watching brief revealed the remains of a number of structures and finds dating from the 18th to 20th century. Sediments were recorded which probably related to land reclamation between 1709-1715, but there was no dating evidence available. Accession No: 2004/809