Site Event/Activity record ECH5961 - Archaeological Evaluation test Pits and Watching Brief, the Queen's School, City Walls Road, Chester August 2014

Programme of archaeological evaluation and watching brief of a c50m2 extension to the current gymnasium. Evaluation consists of 3 trial pits measuring 1.0m by 1.5m to evaluate the potential of the site to have preserved unknown archaeological remains. Watching brief maintained during excavation of foundation trenches to the side and front of the current gym building. Test pits 1 and 2 found ground much disturbed, likely by the construction of the Gym with Roman tile and pottery in the same context as post medieval ceramic, glass and clay pipe. A sandstone wall was found at the base of the current brick boundary wall in TP1 suggesting current boundary follows the earlier Gaol boundary wall. Test Pit 3 contained brick and sandstone foundations of the former Chester City Gaol and house of correction. Watching brief of foundation trenches 1-3 found ground highly disturbed by Foundation trench 04 uncovered a former cobbled school yard overlying red brick and sandstone foudnations of part of the former prson, identified by historical mapping as the easter gable of the House of Correction