Site Event/Activity record ECH2827 - Excavations at the Crown Car Park, Nantwich in 1978

Excavations undertaken in 1978 at the car park of the Crown Hotel identified a massive ditch and a bank of dumped construction material, possibly part of the medieval bailey ditch of Nantwich Castle. The lower anaerobic muds of the ditch were conducive to the preservation of organic material including leather shoes and wooden bowls and other artefacts. Samples were taken for environmental analysis, also carbon 14 and dendrochronologial dating. Although the excavations did not record any Roman features, they did produce a total of just under 200 sherds of Roman pot, the largest sample of Roman pot from Nantwich to date. It was collected from the terraced area at north end of the site. The assemblage comprised 34% fine wares and some roof tile, indicating close proximity of Roman settlement. None of the pottery suggests occupation before AD.100 and main activity would seem to be from the early 3rd century to the mid 4th century. A silver coin of Julia Domna found (wife of Septimus Severus).