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Wessex Archaeology
Portway House
Old Sarum Park
Salisbury
SP4 6EB
UK
Tel: 01722 326867
Fax: 01722 337562
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by CgMs Consulting to undertake an archaeological trial trench evaluation on land proposed for development at the former Meridian TV studios, Northam, Southampton (NGR SU 43057 12841). The evaluation focused on the southern part of the Site, specifically the ‘dry land’ south of the area of 20th century reclamation, the former Bridge Foundry, and the earlier foreshore of the River Itchen.
The results of the evaluation indicate that most of the Site has been subject to reclamation, levelling and subsequent extensive and deep disturbance during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Much of the evidence revealed in the seven evaluation trenches relates to the remains of buildings and other structures recorded on historic maps of the area. These include elements of the Bridge Foundry, tram/railway lines, a cinema and the TV studios. The earlier gravel foreshore was revealed in one trench, but there were no deposits of palaeoenvironmental interest and no features or finds which could be ascribed a pre-late 19th century date.