Monument MPM2032 - Early post-medieval features, Ravelin Park

A group of archaeological features comprising six early post-medieval ditches and two large irregular pits observed during investigations in Ravelin Park in 2018/19. The features pre-dated the post-medieval town defences and were situated on an island of natural geology between the former defensive moat and East Ravelin. It has been suggested that they may relate to property boundaries or agricultural activity outside the town walls, be remnants of features from working yards for preparation of the ravelin or relate to external defences of an unclear form.

A group of archaeological features observed during investigations in Ravelin Park on the site of the former post-medieval town defences in 2018/19. The features were found on an island of natural geology situated between the former defensive moat and East Ravelin and comprised six early post-medieval ditches orientated northeast/southwest and two large irregular pits. The features pre-dated the defences and pottery and building material recovered showed that the area had remained outside the town defences until the 18th century.

Four of the ditches had been sealed by a layer of silty clay covering an area which extended 12m by 8m and up to 0.18m deep which contained inclusions of gravel, oyster shell and fragments of domestic finds including cattle bone, building material and pottery from a 16th-17th century jug. The layer had been cut away by levelling for the ravelin and truncated by more recent foundations and services. It was thought to have represented buried topsoil covered in the 18th century and later exposed when the ravelin was demolished in the late 19th century. The six ditches may represent low drainage or agricultural ditches in the hinterland of the town that were later filled with domestic waste.

The two pits measured 4.1m long x 1.8m wide and 5m long x 2.5m wide. The fill consisted of moderately loose mid reddish brown sandy silty gravels which contained no finds or inclusions. Due to their irregular edge and depth it was thought they may have been dug for gravel extraction during one of the construction phases of the redan or ravelin.

It has also been suggested that the features on the island may represent property boundaries or farming practices outside the city walls, be remnants of features from working yards for preparation of the ravelin or may relate to external defences of an unclear form.

2018/36

Anthony, Sian and Capon, Les, 2019, University of Portsmouth Sports Building, Ravelin Park, Portsmouth, Hampshire: Post-Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SPM593.