St John’s Croft, Blue Ball Hill, Winchester, Hampshire

From 23rd to 27th June 2008, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an
archaeological trench evaluation on land at St John’s Croft, Blue Ball Hill,
Winchester on behalf of Savills (L&P) Ltd.
The evaluation revealed a significant number of pits and some associated
post holes and gullies which dated to the medieval period. No structures were
recorded but these features are interpreted as backyard or garden activity
relating to possible tenements on the road frontage to the south. The activity
appears to be domestic in character but some evidence for metal working at
the site was also noted.
A number of later post-medieval and modern pits were also recorded but
truncation by modern activity on the site was not extensive.
No evidence of an extension to the east Winchester Roman cemetery
previously recorded in adjacent sites was found but an assemblage of
prehistoric flint also present within the medieval features indicates probable
prehistoric activity nearby.