Event/Activity EPM255 - University of Portsmouth Sports Building, Ravelin Park, Phase One

Phase one of archaeological investigations carried out by AOC Archaeology Group at the site of the new University of Portsmouth sports building in Ravelin Park. The development site was situated within the area of the East Ravelin and Town Mount Bastion, which had formed part of the post-medieval Portsmouth line of fortifications that were demolished c1870. During this phase of fieldwork two trenches were excavated to the formation level of the basement of the new building (2.35m OD) in November 2018. Trench one provided a section through Town Mount Bastion, the moat and East Ravelin. Trench two was intended to provide a section through the East Ravelin's outer moat and counterscarp, but the full extent of this section could not be reached due to the presence of live services. Substantial remains of the fortifications were encountered 0.5m below the current ground level. Phase two of investigations, a watching brief, was carried out in 2019 (see EPM256). Museum accession No: 2018/32