Event/Activity EPM95 - An Archaeological Watching Brief at the Old Student Union Site, Ravelin Park, Museum Road, Portsmouth

A watching brief was carried out by CKC Archaeology during work on the site of the Old Students Union in Ravelin Park between 2nd August and 1st September 2004 prior to it being converted for use as a car park. The The Students Union building was demolished c. 2002 and the site levelled. The levelling had reduced the ground level by 500mm in places, and a proper soil strip was therefore not required prior to the work in 2004. No significant archaeological features were observed at this level. The watching brief was subsequently restricted to the excavation of five drainage trenches. The trenches were up to 35m in length by approx. 1.2m wide and up to 1.8m deep. The works revealed a series of stone walls on the west and east side of the site, thought to belong to the Town Mount Bastion and the East Ravelin, which had formed part of the line of defences protecting the town of Portsmouth (Old Portsmouth). The defences were demolished in the late 19th century. A small number of finds included a key thought to belong to an Explosive Store in the East Bastion (behind the East Ravelin) shown on 19th century plans of the site. Accession number: 2004/962