Monument MPM1191 - Drainage ditches and buried plough soil, Eastern Road

Two features, probably drainage ditches, and a layer thought to be buried plough soil relating to modern/early modern agricultural activity revealed during an archaeological evaluation in 2007.

Features and layers recorded during an archaeological evaluation excavation at the site of East Shore School in 2007. These comprised two probable drainage ditches, a layer of buried plough soil and a layer containing 18th/19th century pottery.

Two features (44 & 32) represented what were probably drainage ditches for a hedgerow along an 18th/19th century field boundary. A field boundary is marked on the 1870 Ordnance Survey map in the same area as the trench where the features were found. The two features were not contemporary with each other. Feature 44 was the earliest in date, and was possibly the southern edge of an east-west aligned feature. It measured at least 1.8m long x 0.6m wide x 0.2m deep. Its fill contained occasional fragments of 18th/19th century brick, and was sealed by another layer (39) which contained charcoal flecks and sherds of 18th/19th century red earthenware pottery. A layer (38) of what was probably buried plough soil overlay layer 39.

Feature 32 was located 3m south of feature 44 on an east-west alignment. It measured 1.5m wide x 0.4m deep and 2m long, and had gently sloping sides and a rounded base. Its fill contained charcoal flecks, fragments of clay tobacco pipe and glass.

Accession number: 2007/10

Eeverill, P, Dr & Garner, M F, 2007, Archaeological Evaluation Excavation at East Shore School, Eastern Road, Portsmouth (Unpublished document). SPM162.