Monument MPM1588 - Late 17th-late 18th century building, Oyster Street

Large oblong building (F15) dating to between the late-17th and late-18th century, revealed during excavations in Oyster Street between 1968-1971. The building measured 24.5m long x 6.5m wide and was set on stone foundations which abutted the southwest corner of a large industrial building dating to the same period (see MPM1576). Large post-hole settings for roof support timbers lined the inside of the north and east walls. [1, p67]

A rectangular pit (P2) 4m long x 2.5m wide x 75cm deep was situated against the inner south wall. The fill of the pit was made up of a loose black ashy soil which contained a quantity of mid to late-18th century pottery, glass and a bone handle. [1, p73]

A brick built well (W13) was located at the west end of the building. The internal shaft measured 1.75m in diameter x 5.5m deep. There were construction slots within the shaft, and pieces of timber were recovered from the bottom of the well. Water was supplied via a wooden pipe at the bottom of the shaft. Fragmentary sherds of early-17th century local coarse ware pottery, small finds and roof tiles were recovered from the well. [1, p72]

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