Site Event/Activity record ECH6389 - Redevelopment at The Former BT Exchange Building, St. John Street, Chester: An Archaeological Excavation

Following on from an archaeological evaluation (ECH4135), a limited programme of excavation was carried out on land at the former BT Exchange Building, St. John Street, Chester, between December 2006 and January 2007. The work was undertaken in advance of a proposed commercial development. The aim of the project was to expose, sample excavate and record any archaeological features and deposits within an agreed area of excavation, approximately 26m squared, located within a central, open area of the existing building complex. Evidence for agricultural activity and, later, possible levelling of the ground surface during the Roman period were encountered. During the late medieval to early post medieval period, a series of pit features were excavated, at least one of which was the probable stone-lined chamber to a corn-drying oven or similar agricultural/industrial feature. Structural features, including a basement, relating to later post medieval properties were exposed along with deposits marking their destruction. (1)