Excavations at Oyster Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, 1968–71

Abstract

The Oyster Street site was important because of its location on the waterfront of the original medieval harbour at Portsmouth. Re-development of the area permitted archaeological excavation, the first large-scale investigation within the once-walled town. The principal aim of the excavation was to gain physical evidence for the early permanent occupation of this part of the old town, and so expand on the documentary information. The site was much disturbed by continuous use, but an occupation sequence from the 12th–13th centuries to modern times was recorded. This was derived from a combination of stratigraphy and structural remains, and ceramic and other finds. The earliest occupation evidence was much disturbed and comprised slight building remains of uncertain nature. During the 14th and 15th centuries the remains of a large timber cistern, storage buildings and a dock and quay demonstrated that the area had become important as a supply base for trading vessels. In the 16th century, improved dock facilities elsewhere saw Oyster Street revert to a largely domestic function, with slight industrial activity. This was followed by a phase of rebuilding along a road network, when the disused dock was filled in and built over. During the 17th and 18th centuries increased industrial activity was shown by the remains of clay-pipe kilns. By the 19th century Oyster Street was lined by purpose-built brick dwellings and commercial properties, and the centre of the site was dominated by Anglesea Court. Some of the buildings from this phase survived until immediately before the excavation. The site history, as excavated, is described in seven consecutive phases.