Former Meridian TV Studios, Northam, Southampton (SOU1695). Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: wessexar1-267090)

Trial trench 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. The foundry remains could only be partly investigated in one trench because of live services but two wall foundations and concrete surface may post-date those shown on 1897 map as don't precisely match, no finds or features of metallurgical interest were encountered.

试挖槽评估工作聚焦于场地南部区域，具体为20世纪填海区域以南的‘干地’、前布里奇铸造厂（Bridge Foundry）旧址以及伊钦河（River Itchen）早期潮间带区域。评估结果显示，场地绝大部分区域在19世纪末至20世纪期间经历了填海、平整作业，以及后续大范围深度扰动。7条试挖槽中揭露的多数遗存，与该区域历史地图上记载的建筑及其他构筑物遗迹相关，其中涵盖布里奇铸造厂的部分构件、有轨电车/铁路线路、一座影院以及电视演播厅遗迹。其中一条试挖槽揭露了早期的砾石潮间带，但未发现具有古环境研究价值的沉积层，也未发现可追溯至19世纪晚期之前的遗迹或出土物。由于存在在用管线，仅在一条试挖槽中对铸造厂遗迹开展了部分勘查；两处墙体基础与混凝土地表的年代或晚于1897年地图上标注的对应遗迹，但二者并不完全吻合，本次勘查未发现具有冶金学研究价值的出土物或遗迹。