Monument MPM2141 - Ditches and pit, Former News Group Printers, Hilsea

Seven ditches and one pit observed during an archaeological evaluation at the Former News Centre site Hilsea in 2024. The features were thought to probably relate to post-medieval agricultural activity on the site.

Archaeological features comprising seven ditches and one pit were recorded during an archaeological evaluation at the Former News Centre site Hilsea in 2024. All of the features had been cut into natural deposits and were thought to probably relate to post-medieval agricultural activity on the site. The remains of a palaeochannel were also found during the evaluation and have been recorded under MPM2140.

Five very small flakes of struck flint were recovered from deposits within two of the ditches and a palaeochannel [see MPM2140]. The flakes had traces of bulbs-of-percussion and shallow-s-profiles. It was thought possible they may represent ‘shatter’ produced during flint knapping. However, it is also possible the flakes may have been produced by incidental natural or human related impacts including construction and landscaping.

The details of the ditches and pits were as follows:

Trench 6
Two east-west alinged ditches running parallel to each other.

Ditch [606] measured 1.50m wide by 0.92 deep and extended beyone the limits of the excavation. It had steep sloping sides which gradually rounded into a concave base. The ditch had a single fill which did not contain any finds.

Ditch [609] measured 4.30m wide by 0.84m deep and had steep sloping sides and a concave base. This ditch truncated the southern side of ditch [606]. It had two fills. The upper fill of 0.60m thick sandy silty clay contained a number of terrestrial snail shells, fish and micro-mammal remains including brown rat (introduced to England in the 18th century) a clear and colourless thin-walled glass shatter shard (possibly window glass) and fragments of natural iron root clast, coal, stone and possible vitrified charcoal fuel remains. This material would suggest a final infilling date during the post-medieval period.

Trench 7
Three north-south alinged ditches and one pit. East of Trench 6 where two east-west alinged ditches were recorded.

Ditch [706] measured 2.90m wide and 0.50m deep and was observed at 1.49m aOD. Concave sides and base. One fill which did not contain any finds.

The remains of an irregular pit [708] was found to the east of ditch [706]. The pit measured 1.60m by 0.80m by 0.50m deep and was observed at 1.49m aOD. Concave sides and base. The pits fill contained part of an elderly female cattle skeleton and the tibia from another cattle, fragments of oak charcoal, two joining fragments of an iron nail and natural coal and stone. It was thought this feature was probably used as a rubbish pit. No evidence of gnawing, butchery or burning was observed on the cattle bones. The iron nail was thought to likely date from the medieval to modern period but an earlier date could not be ruled out.

Ditch [710] was east of pit [708]. This ditch was observed at 1.52m aOD and measured 2.90m wide by 0.39m deep and extended into the northern and southern limits of the excavation. The ditch had sloping sides and a concave base. The fill contained natural stone and small struck flint flakes.

Ditch [712] was east of ditch [710] and was observed at 1.63m aOD. The ditch measured 2.30m wide by 0.60m deep and extended into the northern and southern limits of the excavation. It had concave sides and a flat base. The ditch had two fills. The lower fill contained a group of cattle bones including a fragmentary skull and mandibles which probably belonged to one sub adult animal and a solid lump of a bitumen- like substance. The upper fill contain natural stone and coal fragments. No evidence of gnawing, butchery or burning was observed on the cattle bones.

Trench 10
NE part of site. Two north-south aligned ditches.

Ditch [1008] 0.70m wide by 0.40m deep extended into northern and southern limits of excavation. The ditch had two fills. The lower fill contained natural coal and stone and fragments of struck flint.

Ditch [1010] was observed to the east of ditch [1008]. This ditch measured 0.50m wide by 0.20m deep and extended into the northern and southern limits of the excavation. It’s fill do not contain any finds.

South, Katie, Bower, Karl, 2024, Former News Group Printers, London Road, Portsmouth: An Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SPM654.