Event/Activity EPM75 - An archaeological watching brief at 84-88 Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth

Archaeological watching brief carried out for the proposed development of 26 flats on the site of 84-88 Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth. Four geological test pits were excavated in September 2004, two against the southern boundary of 86-88 Kingston Crescent and two in the back garden of 84. These showed little sign of human activity. Following the demolition of existing buildings (derelict terraced housing c.1900), a large cellar was observed at the north end of the site, the brickwork of which had been removed except for the wall on its east side. The sections were examined once the remaining walls had been removed, and these showed about 500mm of disturbed clay loam subsoil, followed by undisturbed clay. Relatively undisturbed clays to the south of the cellar contained the odd clay pipe, but no further evidence of archaeological activity. A soil strip prior to the excavation of footings revealed no sign of archaeological features, although occasional unmarked clay pipe stems were observed. A geological section was recorded from the trench edge when the footings were cut approximately 2.2m below ground level into undisturbed clay. No archaeological finds or features were recovered from the site. It was thought the realignment of the modern road and the cellaring on the street front probably accounts for the lack of archaeology.