Site Event/Activity record ECH6786 - Archaeological Investigation Report for Leadworks, Chester

Archaeological investigations were carried out in 2019 at the Leadworks site, Chester, prior to renovation and construction of new dwellings. The site lies within Boughton Canalside Conservation Area, Archaeological Character Zone 65 and contains Grade II* Listed buildings. In the Medieval and Post Medieval periods, the area was predominately agricultural in use; construction of the Leadworks began 1799 and they were established a year later. The archaeological investigations exposed large areas of below ground survival across the east, southern and northern parts of the site. This included interior and exterior brick walls, with brick and tile flooring and complex multi flues system; associated with the stoves, white leadhouse and packing room. It is thought many of the features date to the first phase of the Leadworks, pre 1875, after which the site was developed and activity centres re-distributed. During the 1940s concrete flooring was laid over the site, preserving many of the features in situ, as well as, areas of original exterior cobbling and train tracks. The south-west area of the site had a large concentration of black glazed pot fragments most likely to have been used to contain acetic acid for use in the lead stack process. Due to on-site constraints and the contaminated nature of the site, no finds were retained nor was the natural exposed. (1)