Monument record 8006 - Boughton Roman Cemetery

Various finds discovered near the river in Boughton point to the possibility of a Roman cemetery having once existed there. In the earlier stages of the Roman occupation in Britain cremation was the customary burial rite. Roman burials and cremations were frequently accompanied by pottery and glassware, probably filled with food, as well as money, lamps and other accessories. The grave goods were included in the belief that the dead person should be supplied with all possible earthly comforts for their journey to the underworld.

Up to six cremations were found in the Cherry Orchard area, some of them in cremation jars or urns. An urn was also discovered near the road junction, reportedly with burnt bone in it, although later reports do not mention this.

A cremation contained in an urn was discovered at 21 Stocks Lane in 1982, by the owner whilst digging in the back garden. The burial lay on the east side of the street in a pit roughly a metre deep, filled with charcoal and several sherds from another vessel. The urn, a grey pyriform jar dating to around AD 80-120, was filled with burnt bone; apparently the remains of an adult.

In Stocks Lane, a Flavian jar containing a cremation was found in 1897, accompanied by a small glass flask. In 1900, 'a few yards' away another complete cremation urn was found, filled with earth and bones. Fragments of four other urns were also found, approximately 2m below ground. Discovery made by workmen whilst making a drain for two new cottages about midway on the east side of Stocks Lane.

A Roman cinerary urn in orange fabric, 355mm high, with contents, including fragments of a small amphora, was found in the garden of 19 Whitchurch Road, whilst strengthening the foundations of the house.

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, 177-178 & 219-220 (Book). SCH2878.

<2> n/a, 1895, Miscellanea, 183/No.72 (Article in Journal). SCH5596.

<3> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Hughes T 1885 lst s 3/264-5 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<4> Haverfield, F, 1897, Roman altar discovered in 1896, Haverfield F 1897 6/77-8 (Article in Journal). SCH5518.

<5> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 184 (Book). SCH3556.

<6> multiple authors, 1984/85, Stray Finds, 91 (Article in Journal). SCH5813.

<7> multiple authors, 1982, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, 43-45 (Article in Journal). SCH5808.

<8> multiple authors, 1976, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, 22-25 (Article in Journal). SCH5797.

<9> Hemingway, J., 1831, History of Chester, from its foundation to the present time. Volume 2, 2/353 (Book). SCH1412.

<11> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1902, A Descriptive Account of Roman and Other Objects from Various Sites in Chester and District, 1898-1901, 100-1 (Article in Journal). SCH5946.

<12> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1899, Notes on some Roman remains found in the City and its environments, 156-8 (Article in Journal). SCH5523.

<13> Mason, D. J. P., 1978, The Extramural Area (Article in Journal). SCH6313.