Event/Activity EPM230 - Archaeological Watching Brief at East Side Plaza, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Gifford and Partners during excavations for a pilebase for a commercial and residential development at the East Side Plaza, Gunwharf Quays, between 17th January and the 17th February 2005. Excavation work was carried out by three mechanical diggers which reduced the level of the site to 0.85m A.O.D. Structures encountered during the work were recorded archaeologically prior to removal. The watching brief aimed to record any surviving remains relating to the town ditch to the Portsmouth line of defences (infilled 1668-1685) and the Mill Pond Wall constructed 1668-1685 (Mill Pond backfilled late-19th century), both of which were identified as having been located within the East Side Plaza site. Any evidence of structures relating to more recent activity on the Gunwharf site was also to be recorded. Extensive sections of the Mill Pond Wall and associated rampart were found to survive beneath the modern ground surface. The back-filled Town Moat was also observed. It was concluded that sections of the Mill Pond Wall and rampart were also likely to survive beyond the East Side Plaza site, especially in Ordnance Row and the sports ground to the east. Accession No: 2004/810