Monument MPM21 - Oyster Street

Excavations carried out by Portsmouth Museum Service in Oyster Street between 1968-71 revealed evidence of continuous occupation on the site from the 12th onwards. Seven phases of occupation were identified, three of which related to the medieval period, four to the post-medieval.

Due to the complex nature of the site the evidence recorded during the excavation has been broken down into a number of records on the HER. There are separate records summarising medieval (MPM1551) and post-medieval occupation (MPM1606). In addition to this a number of features/monuments have been recorded as individual records which are linked to MPM1551 and MPM1606.

The medieval evidence revealed a late-13th century building complex in the area of the main site, and a 14th century dock, quay and sea defence wall 20m to the southwest. The site appears to have fallen into disuse during the early-16th century and, with the exception of one building, was levelled.

During the mid to late-16th century the use of the site changed from commercial to predominantly domestic, and during the late-16th to late-17th century most of the 15th and 16th century buildings were replaced. There was also evidence of industrial activity with the construction of two forges during the 16th/17th century, a complex of late-17th/early-18th century clay tobacco pipe kilns, and at least one industrial building dating a late-17th to early-18th century phase. By the end of the 19th century most of the site was occupied by substantial brick buildings and it was dominated by Anglesea Court, which comprised five houses and the Anglesea Tavern/King and Queen, and the John Pound's Ragged School for Boys and Girls. Some of these buildings were still in existence immediately prior to the archaeological excavation.

Two buildings are still in existence on the site, Nos. 8 and 6 French Street. 8 French Street (see MPM507) was placed within a late-16th to late-17th century phase of occupation, but may originally date to the late medieval period.

A large quantity of finds were recovered during the excavation. These included pottery, metalwork, glassware, leather and small finds.

The excavation archive is held by Portsmouth Museum Service under the accession number 1971/150.

The site report should be consulted for the full details of the excavation: Fox, R & Barton, K, 1986, Excavations at Oyster Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, 1968-71

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

Portsmouth City Council, n/a, Portsmouth City SMR Cards (Index). SPM1.