Monument record 8440 - Roman Structure at Deva Roman Experience

Archaeological investigations in 1991 and 1993 at the site of the present Deva Roman Experience to the rear of 30-38 Bridge Street have recorded structural evidence indicating a substantial building in use throughout the Roman period.

The initial archaeological evaluation in 1991 comprised 6 trial trenches across the site and resulted in substantial Roman remains in four of the six trenches. Although the trenches comprised only a small percentage of the site, it was enough to indicate a fairly good level of preservation with several courses of high quality masonry recovered. Three sections of walls on an east-west alignment and a fourth north-south aligned walls were recorded along with evidence of a mortar floor and a single circular pit. The structural evidence was then overlain by a late Roman demolition layer. (3)

Subsequent excavation of the site revealed more sections of Roman walls and extended the known extent of the previously recorded walls and allowed for a greater level of interpretation.

It is believed that the east-west wall recorded in Trench 04 at the southern extent of the site may have been the outside wall and survived to a height of almost 1m with a second north-south wall perpendicular to this possibly marking a partition wall (Trench 02). Traces of a semi-circular wall within the recorded section of this wall may indicate an alcove or niche.

Evidence of several floor surfaces suggest the building remained in use throughout the Roman period. (5)

<1> Nenk B. Margeson S & Hurley M, 1994, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1993 (Article in Journal). SCH5639.

<2> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1994, Annual Review 1993-1994 (Newsletter). SCH6050.

<3> Chester Archaeology, 1991, Commonhall Village, Chester: An Archaeological Evaluation, R2087 (Client Report). SCH4113.

<4> Nenk B. Margeson S & Hurley M, 1992, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1991 (Article in Journal). SCH5635.

<5> Ward, S. W., 1993, Deva Roman Experience, Chester: Summary of Excavations, July 1993 (Unpublished Report). SCH6694.