Site Event/Activity record ECH5454 - Archaeological Trial Trenching at Saighton Camp, Huntington in 2007 (Phase 2)

Excavation of 75 trenches across the camp. Positioned to investigate the sites of former buildings, open areas between the buildings, the former parade grounds and the sites of several former marl pits. The evaluation aimed to establish whether the remains of a field system of Roman date identified to the north could be traced within the camp and whether any evidence for an associated settlement could be identified. In other areas there was clear evidence that levels had been reduced in the course of constructing the camp and its associated buildings and very little remained of the extensive medieval ridge and furrow that had previously existed across the area. Archaeological features of Roman or potential Roman date were identified in 12 trenches. Towards the south-eastern corner of the site part of a Roman settlement linked to an enclosure was identified in five of the trenches. A range of pits, post holes, gullies and cobble surfaces were recorded which were associated with pottery which dates to between the mid 2nd and the late 4th century AD. (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)