Event/Activity EPM46 - Land-Based Test Site, DERA, Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

Desk-based assessment of the archaeology in the area of the Land Based Test Site, DERA, Portsdown Hill, to comply with a planning application for refurbishment and expansion of existing buildings on the site. A study of the various documentary and cartographic sources, and a site inspection, revealed that the current buildings on the site would have removed any surviving traces from large areas. However, the natural slope that remains could contain evidence of archaeology from the palaeolithic throught to the post-medieval period. The majority of the site, due to the terracing of buildings into the hills slope, is unlikely to have any surviving archaeology. These areas do not merit further attention. The areas of natural slope to the north of Block 3, if they are to be developed, will merit an archaeological watching brief to monitor for any archaeology. If all of these areas are to be left and no development is to take place, no further archaeological work should be required.