Site Event/Activity record ECH6902 - Archaeological Watching Brief Groundworks undertaken at 10–11 Abbey Square and 3–6 Abbey Green, Chester

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken from October 2019–December 2020 to investigate and record any archaeological remains that might survive on the site of 10–11 Abbey Square and 3–6 Abbey Green. In particular, any remains associated with the Roman activity previously recorded from earlier excavations to the east and Chester in general. A fragment of Roman wall was located to the rear of No. 10 Abbey Square and was left intact as part of a new foundation. Fragments of Roman tile and a few potsherds were also recovered from the south side of the wall and the playing field fronting 3–6 Abbey Green. Although somewhat ephemeral, the evidence suggests that Roman structures, although heavily truncated and robbed-out, did stand on the site but at a significant level below the completed groundworks. A possible 16th–17th century brick structure was located to the rear of No. 11 Abbey Square. This may well relate to a structure that appears on a 17th–18th century map (Randle Holme) and maybe be a possible bake house. A substantial length of a sandstone wall, aligned North-South, separates No.11 Abbey Square from The Dean’s House and deserves further investigation as it may possibly represent a remnant of the 12th century Chapel of St. Thomas the Apostle, demolished in the late 1780’s. (1)