Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Mansel Road West, Millbrook, Southampton. Archaeological Evaluation (SOU1707)

The Archaeology Unit of Southampton City Council carried out an evaluation excavation at land to the north of Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Millbrook in February and March 2016. The site lies in an area of prehistoric and later archaeology, and an archaeological evaluation was required as a condition of the planning permission. Natural brickearth was 0.2m below the surface in all trenches. Its upper portion had been subject to weathering and bioturbation and was about 0.5m thick. The lower portion was clean brickearth and was at least another 0.5m thick. The weathered brickearth contained flint flakes and burnt flints indicating prehistoric activity in the area. Four features were identified: two probably were tree disturbances; one may have been a ditch but was not convincing, and the other was a modern soakaway. One burnt flint was recovered from the possible ditch. No significant finds except a few prehistoric flints were found. No features of definite archaeological significance were revealed so it is unlikely that the development will cause damage to archaeologically significant remains.