Site Event/Activity record ECH6462 - Archaeological Monitoring of Utility Exploration trenches adjacent to St Olaves Church

As part of an ongoing and proposed programme of remedial works to the failing sandstone retaining wall fronting St. Olave’s church, Lower Bridge Street, Chester (see Earthworks 2008; 2010a; 2010b), two test trenches were excavated adjacent to the wall with the primary aim of establishing the density, depth and extent of existing utility services located beneath the footpath in this location (centring on NGR SJ 40618 65941) (see Fig. 1 and Plate 1). The two test trenches each measured c. 0.5m wide and were aligned east–west across the pavement. Trench 1 lay to the north and measured 1.0m long, trench 2 lay to the south and measured 2.0m long. The trial trenches were monitored and recorded by an experienced archaeologist during their excavation which took place on the 3rd July 2017. No features of deposits of archaeological significance were encountered during the excavation of trench 1. Trench 2 Removal of the current tarmac surfacing and concrete paving slabs (200), revealed immediately an outcrop of natural sandstone bedrock (201) towards the centre of the trench. To the west of the outcrop of sandstone the ground had been disturbed by numerous service trenches. To the east, the west edge to a north–south aligned trench [202] was observed cut vertically into the bedrock to a depth of c. 0.30m. No in situ structural remains or deposits were encountered within this feature owing to disturbance caused by a service trench which cut across this location on a north-west–south-east alignment. With the sole exception of the undated rock-cut trench [202], no features of deposits of archaeological significance were encountered during the excavation of trench 2. Although limited in size and scope, the two trenches provided an opportunity to examine the ground in this location for the potential survival of archaeological remains. Despite the fact that the ground in both trenches had clearly been heavily disturbed by existing service trenches, the results of trench 2 suggest that a rock-cut feature services in this particular location. The limited size of the utility exploration trench precludes any firm interpretation of this feature but its position and alignment combine to suggest a potential foundation trench relating to a previous structure located on the Lower Bridge Street frontage. Away from any later intrusions it may be possible to identify, characterise, and date this feature should it be to any degree extensive. To conclude, the observation of the utility exploration trenches has demonstrated that at least one potential archaeological feature does survive immediately beneath the pavement to Lower Bridge Street and adjacent to the retaining wall to St. Olave’s church, notwithstanding the presence of extensive utility-related intrusions. Additionally, the information gleaned regarding the shallow nature of the sandstone bedrock in this location may well assist in gauging an appropriate response to future works in this general area.