Site Event/Activity record ECH6837 - Archaeological Watching Brief for Black Friars, Chester

An Archaeological Watching Brief was undertaken in May 2019 at land off Black Friars, to the east of Chester City centre. It monitored the removal of perimeter brick walls and the excavation of foundations and services for a single residential dwelling with off-street parking. The site lies within the historic core of Chester. In the mid 12th century a Benedictine nunnery was founded immediately to the south of Black Friars and in AD 1237 a Dominican Friary was founded to the north. The site is located on the south side of Black Friars which remained an open route between the two precincts. The archaeological investigations exposed a Post Medieval red brick wall to the west of the site, it was unclear whether this formed part of an historic boundary wall or the western extension of a former 20th century structure. Further features associated with the building include a service pipe, a metal tank and possible brick surface. An earlier deposit was encountered during the works; however, this was largely preserved in situ and limited investigation did not produce any artefacts or dating evidence. (1)