Event/Activity EPM236 - Archaeological Watching Brief at Gunwharf Quays

In 1998 Gifford and Partners Ltd. were commissioned to undertake an archaeological watching brief during the redevelopment of Gunwharf Quays. This record relates to the general watching brief on works on the site which took place between 1998 and 2000. There are separate event records for watching briefs undertaken on the Infirmary building (EPM234), Vulcan building (EPM235) and excavations at Mill Redoubt (EPM194) and work carried out post 2000. The watching brief followed on from an archaeological evaluation undertaken by the Conservation Practice in 1997 (EPM195) which identified specific areas of the Gunwharf site where archaeological monitoring should take place. These included the Sea Line wall, the King's Mill and the Old and New Gunwharf Quay walls. In addition to the observation and recording of ground works in the residential and commercial areas a general 'walk over survey' approach was used to identify any features that may have been exposed across the whole of the development site. An archaeologist was on site to observe groundworks as and when appropriate and to record any archaeology that was identified. The works revealed sections of the Moat wall to the Portsmouth town defences, Quay walls, features associated with the Nelson Gate and a threshold stone, cobbled surface and wall in one of the Vernon Pools. Walls interpreted as buttresses to the northern Quay wall were observed 2.5m below Ordnance Datum during the excavation of the basement level of the car park on the site of Old Gunwharf. No archaeological features were observed during the excavation of the former Helipad, which was in use as a car park prior to redevelopment. However, a number of modern concrete piles were removed from this area. These were thought to belong to the foundations for the 'Western Block' which was piled but never constructed. A small number of artefacts including animal bones, iron nails and a large mortar were recovered from the spoil heaps. Partial brick foundations of modern MoD buildings, including Creasy Block, Warrant Officers Mess etc. were observed all over the site. Several features are not recorded as monuments in the HER as it was not possible to determine their location from the report. These comprise: Two brick built wells in the old car park area on Old Gunwharf. Two 19th century sewers running parallel with each other on a north-south alignment in the south east part of the site. Sections were seen running from the vicinity of Beeston's Bastion to the Infirmary. Two 20th century brick built underground coolant tanks consisting of three brick arches atop a submerged tank within the vacinity of the Vulcan building. These ran parallel with the southern wing of the building and westward for another 30m. 2000/16