Site Event/Activity record ECH6232 - Chester Business Park, MBNA Lakeside, Chester. Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief

From May to August 2003 a programme of archaeological works was implemented in areas of Chester Business Park. This consisted of trial trenching and the monitoring by an archaeologist of topsoil and overburden stripping, and the excavation of test pits and pipe trenches. Relatively low levels of archaeological deposits were encountered, except for Romano-British remains including a road, associated ditches and pottery recorded in the northern section of the development area. Built up ground, recorded previously by a borehole survey of the site, was encountered in all of the evaluation trenches and was observed to varying degrees during the watching brief phases. This programme represented the second, third, and fourth of five stages of archaeological works within the proposed development area (PDA). These archaeological works were undertaken between May and September 2003 by Network Archaeology Ltd, for RSK ENSR Environment Ltd. The archaeological remains sporadically encountered throughout the eastern part of the site (Area A 1-7) were entirely due to post medieval and modern agricultural activity. The southern areas (A 1-7, B 1-7 & E 1-5) were almost entirely devoid of archaeological remains except for post medieval or modern field boundaries and land drains. It is therefore considered that no further archaeological work is necessary in these areas. The only area where significant archaeological remains were encountered was the northern section of R 1-13. Here a significant density of Romano-British activity including a road was recorded. These archaeological remains were observed adjacent to Area F 1-1 0 and were assumed to continue into it. As a result of the archaeological monitoring of this area, a strategy for the assessment and excavation of Area F 1-10 was formulated in agreement with the Chester City Archaeological Officer. At the time of writing the excavation has taken place and substantial archaeological remains dating to the Romano-British period have been recorded. The results of that excavation will appear in a forthcoming report.