Event/Activity EPM215 - Archaeological Watching Brief at 306 Fratton Road, Portsmouth

Archaeology South-East carried out an archaeological watching brief on groundworks associated with the construction of a two storey extension to a property at 306 Fratton Road on the 1st May 2015 and 24th October 2016. The excavation of a footings trench, c24m long x 0.80m wide x 1m deep, was monitored over two days. Shallow service trenches and ground reduction work within proven modern made ground were not monitored. The latter took place within the proposed footprint of the new building. Hand and mechanical excavation was carried out by the contractor. A metal detector was used to scan uncontaminated spoil from the excavations. The watching brief did not identify any significant archaeological remains. A modern demolition/destruction layer probably related to the demolition of 304 Fratton Road during the c1970s or 1980s. However, it has also been suggested that 306 Fratton Road may have been replaced after the war and that the layer relates to the clearing of a bomb site. Accession No: 2016/532