Site Event/Activity record ECH3399 - Evaluation at the Arrowcroft and Canalside Development Scheme Areas, 1977 - 1978 (Chester)

Between November 1977 and February 1978 a series of eighteen trial trenches were mechanically excavated under supervision in order to assess the potential of this large area centred on Queen St., in advance of proposed redevelopment (1). Only a wide scatter of trenches could be achieved under the circumstances. It appears that much of this area, north of Foregate St., was marsh until the construction of the Canal, and between Queen St. and Frodsham St. there was no evidence of pre-eighteenth century occupation surviving, except in redeposited contexts (1). Although the available published information on these excavations is very limited, at least one source mentions that 'pits' (CHER 8130) were identified, within the context of discussing Roman finds on the site, but it is not clear if the finds are associated with the pits (1).