Monument record 8022 - Roman Sandstone Surface, Maison Romano

A surface made of re-used sandstone walling, perhaps a yard surface, found during test pitting at the site of the Maison Romano Hotel in 1990 (1). This was the second of three surfaces, each made of different materials. It is most likely to date from the Roman period, although a sub-Roman date cannot be ruled out, and the source of the stone must have been a nearby derelict building or one in the course of demolition.

Buildings in stone to the south of the fortress include the Mansio, and fragments of other structures, where their completion seems to have occurred during the earlier second century, although they could have been earlier. It is perhaps unlikely that a second century building would have been demolished before the beginning of the third century, so that this surface may belong to the third or perhaps fourth century (1).

<1> Chester City Council, 1990, 49-51 Lower Bridge Street, Chester (Maison Romano Hotel): an Archaeological Evaluation, p 6 - 7 (Client Report). SCH6203.