Site Event/Activity record ECH5787 - Evaluation at Boughton Retail Centre, Chester in 2013-14

In 2013-2014 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by CgMs Consulting to undertake a programme of archaeological fieldwork in areas of proposed groundworks on land at The Boughton Centre, Boughton, Chester (NGR 341400 366500). The Site occupies approximately 1.65ha, and is situated adjacent to Boughton Road in the urban centre of Chester. A total of 22 evaluation trenches were proposed, of which 19 could be excavated; these were Trenches 1-11, 14-16 and 18-22. The monitoring works also comprised a Strip, Map and Record investigation in areas of proposed groundworks to mitigate damage to the archaeological record, consisting of nine trenches, trenches 23-31. The large area of Strip, Map and Record, within the former primary school yard and the western car park of the Boughton Retail Centre, was designated Trench 23 and two trenches along the Boughton Road frontage in the southeast corner of the Site were designated Trenches 24 and 25. Subsequently, the excavated footprints of the proposed pile caps were designated Trenches 26-31 from west to east. Trenches 26 and 27 lay within the footprint of Trench 23. Archaeological remains relating to four distinct phases of activity were revealed at the site:- • Phase 1 consists of a Romano-British soil horizon and associated ditches. • Phase 2 consists of a series of post-medieval timber-lined pits and other timber-built structures relating to a tannery. • Phase 3 represents the extensive remains of 19th-century terraced houses and backyards on both sides of the former Fossbrook Street, along with a number of features related to the backyards of the properties of the east side of Victor Street. • Phase 4 includes the demolition of the 19th-century housing, and all subsequent activity within the Site. The artefactual assemblage was of a moderate size; animal bone, with pottery and glass well represented. The finds are dominated by material from the post-medieval to modern period (mainly 18th century onwards). There was also a small quantity of Romano-British pottery, along with one medieval pottery sherd. Additionally, approximately 50 pieces of worked wood were recovered, all structural, and much of it found in situ within the post-medieval pits. (1)