Monument MPM1566 - Former group of post-medieval houses, Oyster Street

The remains of a group of three post-medieval houses were recorded during excavations in Oyster Street in 1968-71. The houses were originally constructed during the late-16th to late-17th century, but underwent extensive alterations during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The remains of a group of three post-medieval houses (F7-F9) were recorded during excavations in Oyster Street in 1968-71. The houses were constructed from red brick during the late-16th to late-17th century period. The houses semi-basements and the bases of H-shaped fireplaces were the only original features to survive extensive 18th and 19th century alterations. [1, p61]

Two of the houses (F7 and F9) had extensions/outhouses by their backdoors represented by foundation trenches [1, p61]. Fragments of charred timber recovered from the foundation trenches indicated that the outhouses had burnt down during the late-17th century[1, p65].

A stone-built drain ran south through the houses, then turned west into the Camber [1, p61].

A latrine (F9b) located 2m from the outhouse associated with F9 was linked to the drain beneath F9 by a brick-lined sewer. This feature was dated to the late-17th to late-18th century. [1, p65]

<1> Fox, R & Barton, K, 1986, Excavations at Oyster Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, 1968-71 (Bibliographic reference). SPM34.