Event/Activity EPM76 - Summary report on an archaeological watching brief at 16-20 Kingston Road, Portsmouth

Archaeological watching brief carried out during the redevelopment of the site of the former George public house at 16-20 Kingston Crescent, for a new Age Concern facility with flats. Observations were carried out during levelling works and the excavation of foundation trenches by mechanical diggers. Initial observations were carried out on level reduction, followed by the deposition of a layer of crushed concrete across the site. The foundation trenches were then observed. Due to no stratified archaeology having been observed, the watching brief was terminated before trenches were dug for services, although these were mostly to be above the foundation level. Although there was some evidence of activity in the area around Kingston Road, no evidence of medieval activity was found. As natural deposits were not deeply disturbed by the substantial development of the site in the last 200 years, it was thought reasonable to suggest that the site lies between and outside of the medieval settlements at Kingston and Fratton. Finds included ceramic building material, a large quantity of clay pipe fragments, glass, shell, and faunal remains. Most of these date to the 19th and 20th centuries, and are typical of an urban site. Accession number 2005/283