Monument record 8072 - Roman remains at Nicholas Street

Trial trench behind the buildings along the West frontage of Nicholas Street in 1975, mid-way between Greyfriars and Blackfriars Lanes, located the foundations of a north-south wall positioned 66m west of the W fortress wall. Probably represents the line of an east perimeter wall belonging to a structure which lay to the west.

Several phases of stone construction were noted, together with traces of two earlier timber phases. First timber phase represented by two postholes with an eaves drip 1m to W. Second timber phase represented by a beam trench with three stake holes at right angles. Demolition rubbish from this phase consisted of white-painted plaster, with wattle impressions, and clay and pebbles from the floor layers. The building was replaced by one in stone, with a wall 76cm wide, which had been rebuilt several times. Rubble from this phase consisted of tiles, plaster, sandstone fragments and a fragment of a carved slate architrave (1).

<1> multiple authors, 1975, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, p41-42 (Article in Journal). SCH5795.

<2> Mason, D. J. P., 1978, The Extramural Area, p37 (Article in Journal). SCH6313.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p175 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> McPeake J.C., 2012, 30-42 Nicholas Street, 1974 (Article in Monograph). SCH6553.

<5> Anon, 1974, September 1974: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5742.