Site Event/Activity record ECH2837 - Excavations at Abbey Green, Deanery Field, Chester in 1933-35 Phase 4 (Deanery Field Site)

Excavations at the Deanery Field by Newstead and Droop were carried out between 1922 and 1935 in several phases. The first phase in late 1922 to 1923 (ECH5195) was restricted to a small area occupying a central position on the south side of the field, the second phase (ECH2802) took place between 1924 and 1926 over a more extensive area with a substantial extension to the west of the earlier trench and recorded more extensive foundations of the barracks blocks here. The third phase (ECH2803) took place between March and May of 1928 encountering the northern end of barracks and the Centurial quarters. The final phase of excavation was carried out between 1933 and 1935 on two sites, one at Abbey Green between 1933 and 1934 (ECH2837) and one in the Deanery Field between 1934 and 1935 (ECH4961). Excavations in 1933-35 were brought about following plans to convert the field into a sports ground, thus requiring substantial levelling. The excavations recorded evidence of a rampart building in Abbey Green, a second interval tower, traces of the north east angle tower, a section through the east rampart, the postern gate and road to the retentura and sections of the barracks including parts of Block A previously recorded in the 1920s, sections of Blocks D and E and a large proportion of Block F. (1) Referred to as Site No 21 in the Defences Monograph (2)