Site Event/Activity record ECH5452 - Archaeological evaluation at Saighton Camp, Huntington in 2006 (Phase 1)

During December 2005 and January 2006, 45 trenches were excavated in the northern part of the former Saighton Camp on the outskirts of Chester which is the subject of proposed redevelopment. Standing building recording also carried out (see ECH5456). The purpose of the evaluation was to inform the archaeological mitigation strategy. The evaluation demonstrated that the survival of degraded medieval ridge and furrow over much of the site. Also a small number of gullies and ditches pre-dating the medieval ridge and furrow which probably represented part of an Iron Age or Romano British field though no finds were recovered from these features to confirm this interpretation. The survival of the ridge and furrow may indicate there is some limited potential for remains to survive, especially at the south western end of the site. Further evaluation trenching recommended in the south western end of the site and excavation of sample areas based on this. A watching brief to take place on any groundwork's outside the sampled areas. (1) Published account (2022) of the results of the programme of archaeological mitigation at Saighton Camp undertaken between 2005 and 2015, which revealed important and extensive Roman period remains within the area of development. The site is located 3km from the Roman legionary fortress of Chester (Deva Victrix). A combination of trial trenching, watching brief monitoring and excavation across the area of proposed development revealed the remains of a high-status settlement of second to fourth century date (CHER 7418/2), together with an associated regular field system (CHER 7418/1) laid out over more than 20 hectares. The excavated settlement appears to be an ancillary area to a much larger site, the centre of which lies to the south in the area of the moated site (CHER 1946) and is believed to be a villa. This is the closest such site to Chester and villas are notably rare in the region. The field system runs parallel with a modern road (Sandy Lane), suggesting the latter is a Roman route. The field system was probably laid out by the legion at Deva as part of the lands they controlled around the fortress. (2)