Site Event/Activity record ECH5627 - Archaeological watching brief at Boughton Centre, Chester in 2013

Report on archaeological monitoring of geotechnical trial pits at the Boughton Centre. Work was required because of the potential for Roman features associated with the civil settlement and the road. The results were primarily of a 19th century date, however, several Roman soil horizons were also noted. (1) It is clear from even this limited work that the site has considerable archaeological potential. Here are some unstructured initial thoughts relating to further investigation: - Presence of Roman soils indicate potential for survival of Roman field/plot boundaries. One objective of the investigation should be to target this element across the site - they should be easy to pick up in linears. - Roman soils also indicate possibility of areas of Roman activity, including artifact concentrations as well as structural. Also enviro potential. - Large Post-med ditch indicates activity pre-dating the industrial period housing etc. Possibly Med and land divisions at the urban periphery. Also post med organic layer is of interest and may need sampling strategy for artifacts, organics and enviro. Whilst there is no indication so far, Blair will confirm that these peripheral areas have produced undocumented post med and 18th/19th century tanning and animal processing zones (cattle and horse) which are of significance. We may be too far out for that however. - Some survival in pits near street frontage is interesting (contra the previous work at the petrol station, which indicated total wipe-out). Street frontage zone needs special targeting. - Needs to be a strategy for dealing with the 19th century housing. Suggest basic strip and map to get building plans. My main concern would be significant finds assemblages from infilled pits and cellars (which is the kind of thing we might expect). Need contingency arrangement for these, to be decided between Julie Edwards here (post Roman finds) and the project post Roman finds specialist. Sue Stallibrass (EH science advisor) would be useful to advise on the enviro/faunal approach to this and also the animal processing industries. (2)