Site Event/Activity record ECH3101 - Excavations in the Abbey Green, Chester in 1933 Phase 4a (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). Emergency recording of a section of the wall and adjoining area in 1933 recorded evidence of an interval tower and rampart building, possibly the one previously recorded in 1884 (ECH3101). In January 1933 the unsuspected presence of at Roman building was brought to light by repairs to the south side of the north city wall, near the corner of Deanery Field and the garden of 1 Abbey Green (1). Further excavations became possible in 1934 and continued in 1935, and the significance of the site lies in the presence of a Roman turret or tower (1). Referred to as Site No. 20 in the Defences Monograph (2)