Monument MPM1112 - Soakaway, Cathedral Green

Remains of a square stone built structure, most probably a soakaway, revealed during an excavation at Cathedral Green in 1988. It's fill contained 13th century pottery, roof-tile and roof-slates.

The remains of a square stone structure, most probably a soakaway, were uncovered during excavations on Cathedral Green in 1988. The structure was situated in medieval levels below what had formerely been the cobbled yard of the 17th century Red Lion Inn (see MPM1111). Between the yard surface and the stone structure were layers containing a scatter of earthenware roof-tile and slate (possible destruction level) and fragments of coarseware pottery and ridge-tile (see MPM1113). The clean state of the structure and the infill suggested that it was originally buried/sunken, rather than having been exposed to the elements. It's gravel and soil fill contained several large fragments of locally produced 13th century coarseware pottery, a few south-west French wares of a similar date, and roof-tile and slate, including complete roof-slates of various sizes. The structure had been built into a pit, cut down into the natural plateau gravel to a depth of 1.5m below the moden ground level. Further excavation of the structure was not considered worthwhile, as 19th and 20th century drainage works had severely disrupted the area.

Fox, R, 1989, Archaeology In Hampshire Annual Report 1988 (Bibliographic reference). SPM126.