Site Event/Activity record ECH3998 - Watching brief on land to the rear of 13 Bath Street, Chester in 2003

An archaeological watching brief undertaken during preliminary groundworks associated with the construction of a new domestic garage to the rear of 13 Bath Street. Although only four foundation pits were excavated, the results have confirmed that archaeology of quality and importance survives in this location. A seventeenth century pit or ditch feature was partially exposed and the finds recovered from its fills indicate that the survival of organic material is excellent. The recovery of leather and cattle horn-cores suggests that tanning or leatherworking was taking place in the seventeenth century. Roman soil layers were also identified and it is reasonable to suggest from the findings that any deeply cut Roman features in the general vicinity will similarly contain important, well-preserved organic material.