Land off Anglesea Road, Shirley, Southampton: Evaluation and excavation (OASIS ID: cotswold2-381353)

An archaeological evaluation and watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October to December 2017 and February 2019 at Land off Anglesea Road, Shirley, Southampton. Three trenches were excavated within the first phase. A second phase of evaluation and watching brief in August 2018 resulted in the excavation of a further trench. A third evaluation phase in February 2019 consisted of the excavation of three additional trenches. A small number of isolated features were identified during the trial trench evaluation within Trench 1; a possible gully from within which a prehistoric worked flint was recovered. Two small undated pits were also found within the trench. Within Trench 4 a continuation of the ditch within Trench 1 was identified, from which burnt flint was recovered. An undated pit was also identified. The limited number of archaeological remains encountered suggests evidence for isolated prehistoric temporary settlement activity located centrally within the site. Trench 7 revealed multiple intercutting features of mostly post-medieval date. No archaeologically significant deposits were identified in Trenches 2, 3, 5 and 6. All trenches showed evidence for substantial levelling and landscaping across the site. Modern finds were identified within the majority of the levelling deposits. No archaeology or artefacts were identified that could be associated with the geological river terrace gravels found at the site. The earliest pottery on site is dateable from the mid-16th to 18th centuries. During the course of the watching brief no features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks. Two modern rubbish pits were identified during the course of the watching within the northwestern part of the site, which contained marmalade jars dated to 1872 and 1883