Site Event/Activity record ECH4974 - Excavations in the Ursuline Convent School Grounds, 1929 (Amphitheatre-Newstead I)

In June 1929, during excavations for a heating chamber for a new wing of the Ursuline Convent School, very substantial architecture and a large number of Roman finds were reported, which were recognised as the remains of an amphitheatre (1). Coincidentally, a cut was being made at this time, in preparation for a new road that would have cut across the amphitheatre site had it not been cancelled. In the later cut, parts of the seating bank and sandstone walling were visible. This event represents the discovery of Chester's Amphitheatre. The work at this stage comprised the initial discovery at the site of the heating chamber, later recorded as Site 1, with subsequent work comprising a further 4 sites excavated in the 1930s. (1)