Wessex Archaeology was appointed by Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton to prepare a marine archaeological desk-based assessment, involvement in geotechnical works and take part in an archaeological watching brief for the works taking place at Marchwood Port, Southampton in preparation for a Marine Licence Application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). These works to include the strengthening of Falklands Jetty and dredging operations to deepen the approach and berth pocket by approximately 2.5 m. The site is centred on national grid reference SU 440966, 110681. The results of the Stage 2 recording were broadly consistent with the expected stratigraphy previously established during recent work within Solent Water by Wessex Archaeology (2014; 2023a). The sequence consisted of Eocene bedrock (Unit 5) overlain in places by Pleistocene fluvial sands and gravels (Unit 4), followed by Holocene fine-grained sediments (Unit 3) forming under the influence of post-glacial relative sea-level rise. The sequence was then sealed in places by Recent Alluvium (Unit 2) and Made Ground (Unit 1). Only Units 5 and 3 were recorded within the new vibrocores. The watching brief was conducted by one archaeologist on board, working closely with the dive team to investigate the targets. During the survey, an anchor and a few metal objects, such as sheet pile and a scaffolding pole was recovered. No sites were identified as of possible archaeological interest.
Kirsten Polle (Wed,) studied this question.