Event/Activity EPM286 - Southsea Coastal Defence Scheme Sub Frontage 1 Archaeological Watching Brief

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Wessex Archaeology during demolition and construction works in Sub Frontage 1 of the Southsea Coastal Defence Scheme between 27th September 2021 and 9th February 2023. The works were commissioned by Coastal Partners working in collaboration with Portsmouth City Council and were situated adjacent to the Long Curtain, King's Bastion and Spur Redoubt Scheduled Monument. The watching brief monitored a range of ground works associated with the removal of the failing sea defences and the instalment of new defences, along with upgraded street furniture. The majority of the works were concentrated along the beachfront, with more limited works taking place in the adjacent footpaths, carpark and playing fields. The Scheduled Monument was not directly impacted by the works but the temporary clearing of gravel from the beach enabled part of Long Curtain and Spur Redoubt to be recorded more fully. A number of archaeological features were recorded during the watching brief. These included a revetment wall which appeared to form part of 18th century sea defences along with an associated slipway butting up to the Spur Redoubt and a possible quay side to the west of the redoubt. 19th century wall footings partially exposed within Spur Redoubt were thought to represent garden accommodation. Evidence of historic repairs were observed along the length of the Long Curtain moat wall. Mason's marks etched into some of the stones in the wall were recorded. Walls associated with the 17th century moat (infilled in the 19th century) were encountered just below the turf in the playing fields to the east of King's Bastion. Finds recovered during the watching brief were all modern (19th – 20th century), and comprised glass bottles, sherds of pottery and a brick stamped Stourbridge. Museum Accession No: 2020/51