Site Event/Activity record ECH3853 - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Land at Steam Mill Street, 2001

An archaeological evaluation, and rapid desk-based assessment, undertaken during January and February 2001 on the site of a proposed residential development on land between Russell St., Steam Mill St. and Canal Side, Chester (1). The evaluation consisted of a rapid desk-based assessment followed by the excavation of eight trial trenches. The results show that archaeological remains datable to the Roman and medieval periods survive. Part of a Roman ditch was exposed at the south end of the area, possibly related to agricultural activity. Industrial archaeological features associated with the former boiler house and engine house of the Steam Mill were also identified. Waterlogged deposits survive at a depth of 2m, containing eighteenth century milling debris, demonstrating a high likelihood of preserved palaeoenvironmental data (1).