Monument record 8058 - Roman Stone Building on upper terrace, Callin Court (phase 2)

Archaeological investigations at the former Grey Friars Court (now called Callin Court) between 1976 and 1982 recorded evidence of Roman activity in the area. Three broad phases of activity were encountered in the southern (1976-1978) and northern (1981) parts of the site. The first phase of activity comprised a number of structures of an early second century AD date. Phase 2 comprised activity in the later part of the second century while phase 3 appeared to date to the late second and into the third century AD.

In the mid second century (phase 2) a new stone structure (Structure 4a and 4b) was built on the upper terrace to the south of Callin Court. Built on a new alignment and possibly on a larger scale this required an extension of the upper terrace some distance to the west. This structure appears to have been on a north-west alignment so representing an entirely new building with at least three phases of alteration. The building was 11.8m wide overall with three possible rooms identified. (13)

A hypocaust identified in Room 1 comprised a concrete basement floor and the remains of two pilae that may have been a later insertion into the stone structure. A kerb identified to the east of the building may represent a veranda on an north-south alignment or it may represent a well laid route allowing access to the building a later room extension to the east removed a large part of this feature (13)

Associated finds indicate this structure remained in use as late as the fifth century, while the structure remained visible until the medieval period when the stone was robbed to provide for the medieval friary. (1)

<1> multiple authors, 1980/81, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, p60-61 (Article in Journal). SCH5806.

<2> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 9/430 Frere S S 1978 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p176 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> multiple authors, 1982, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, p36-7 (Article in Journal). SCH5808.

<5> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 13/353 Rankob N B 1982 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<6> Kelly D.B, 1965, Excavations at Watergate House, Chester, 1959 (Article in Journal). SCH5878.

<7> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1983, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6269.

<8> Mason, D. J. P., 1987, Chester: the Canabae Legionis (Article in Journal). SCH5623.

<9> Anon, 1978, March 1978: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5760.

<10> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1978, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6260.

<11> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1979, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6262.

<12> multiple authors, 1980/81, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5806.

<13> Ward, S. W., 2012, Greyfriars' Court 1976-8 and 1981 (Article in Monograph). SCH6581.