Monument MPM2059 - Post-medieval walls, East of King's Bastion

The remains of two parallel limestone walls thought to be associated with the 17th century moat to the town defences recorded in playing fields to the east of King's Bastion.

Two parallel walls 16.2m apart recorded just below turf in playing fields to the east of King's Bastion during a watching brief by Wessex Archaeology 2021-2023.

The walls were on a north-east south-west alignment and had been constructed using large limestone ashlar blocks. One of the walls had been laid in neat regular courses with well shaped blocks, the other using random courses of blocks of varying sizes. The walls survived to a minimum height of 1.4-1.5m, and measured 85m in length and 0.43-1.6m wide. Due to their location and alignment the walls were thought to be associated with the 17th century moat that formed part of the town defences designed by Sir Bernard de Gomme first shown on a plan of 1665.

Williams, Rachel & Tuck, Ashley, 2023, Southsea Coastal Defence Scheme Sub Frontage 1, Southsea, Hampshire: Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM643.