Site Event/Activity record ECH2482 - Archaeological recording at the Tatler Cinema, 54-60 Foregate Street, Chester in 1936

Limited archaeological recording was carried out at Swan Court (54-60 Foregate Street) following the demolition of the existing buildings and in advance of development for the Tatler Cinema. (2) Recording of the evidence was largely limited to a description of the Roman finds and features although mention was made of medieval tanning pits. Construction cuts for the new cinema revealed Roman evidence to a depth of 2.4m below present street level of a largely first to second century date. No clear evidence of later occupation was encountered, however, this may have been truncated by the medieval activity. (2) The Roman evidence largely comprised a burnt soil horizon and quantities of first-second century pottery and coins. (2) The medieval evidence comprised six tanning pits, none of which were completely excavated. One pit was found to be lined with well dressed ashlar blocks of sandstone containing horn cores and organic matter including straw and sticks. A second pit was faced with wattle and daub and also contained horn cores, organic matter and some late medieval pottery. (2)