Rare finds unearthed in city dig

The 13th Century well house was previously unknown

A 13th Century well house and the stock of a wartime chemist's shop are among artefacts unearthed as part of an archaeological dig in Southampton.

The discoveries were made during a seven-month excavation at the French Quarter site in the city centre.

The dig has been carried out as part of plans to redevelop the area into flats, shops and offices.

Finds dating back 1,000 years to late Saxon times and rare pottery imports were also found, developers said.

The stock of the chemist's shop is thought to have fallen into a medieval vault when it was bombed during World War II.

Medieval street pattern

The previously unknown well house was found on the site of the Polymond Hall, formerly home to hymn writer Isaac Watts.

The excavation was carried out on behalf of building firm Linden Homes, which is planning to build 175 apartments, 52 retirement homes and shops and offices on the site in the medieval part of the city.

The development will replicate the 13th Century street pattern of the area.

Pat Feighery, managing director of Linden Homes Southern, said: "Oxford Archaeology, who we employed to excavate the site, did an excellent job in revealing a vast amount of information about Southampton's trading history as a major seaport and through periods of economic depression."

All the artefacts found will now be cleaned, dated and recorded before being handed to Southampton Museum Service.