Monument record 8425 - Evidence for Roman Barrack Block E at the Grosvenor Centre

A series of archaeological investigations carried out as part of the construction of the Grosvenor Shopping Centre between 1963 and 1965 comprised three evaluation trenches cut to the rear of No 14-22 Newgate Street along with subsequent observations of the construction work. The work was carried out by Mr Petch of the Grosvenor Museum however the excavations have never been published in full. Barrack E appears to have been aligned north-south with an west facing veranda. Earlier investigations in 1926 encountered the northern end of the barrack block (CHER 8425/1). The evidence from Barrack E comprised a series of wall foundations from the first to the fifth contubernia. The earliest evidence for the late first century timber building comprised several foundation trenches representing the southern external wall in trench 9 (first contubernia) along with the veranda surface to the west, three parallel walls on a north south alignment representing the external and central walls (second contubernia) in trench 7 and the eastern external wall and one east-west aligned partition wall (fourth and fifth contubernia) in trench 8. The second phase of activity in the early second century comprised a new construction utilising stone foundations on a slightly different alignment with the structure moving 3.65m to the north to accommodate larger centurial quarters at its southern end. The stone walls appear to have been just a few courses high and were designed to support a timber superstructure. This phase dates to the early second century ending in around 130AD. The evidence for the second phase is more extensive for Barrack E, in addition to the replacement wall foundations already noted, a watching brief over the area between trenches 7 and 8 traced a continuation of the north-south aligned walls of the third and fourth contubernia. Phase 3 was marked by a period of limited activity dating to between 130 and 170AD when the barracks appear to have stood vacant. Evidence of pitting and rubbish disposal was indicated, however, the building does appear to have remained upstanding. Phase 4 comprised a restoration of the structure with evidence of refurbishment – characterised by rebuilding of the stone base walls and the insertion of new floor surfaces. Although new floor surfaces were identified in the area of Barrack E there was no evidence of alteration to the walls. This phase was dated to between 170 and 190AD. A second, more extensive, period of limited activity was then recorded between 190 and 220AD during which pitting activity was resumed and the buildings appear to have become extremely dilapidated, if not demolished. The early third century saw a revival in activity with the barracks rebuilt almost in their entirety. The evidence from Barrack E comprised three parallel walls on a north-south alignment. At this time, the walls appear to have been entirely built of stone. A hearth was also introduced in the second contubernia (trench 7) in the outer room. This phase was dated to between 210 and 230AD. Phase 7 comprised a third period of limited activity with a general lack of maintenance noted across the site. This was followed by the final phase of constructional activity dating to the fourth century when the barracks were again rebuilt and the hearth in the second contubernia was removed. New floor surfaces were identified in Barrack E at a slightly higher level than before. Activity in this period appears to tail off dramatically after c.350AD. Legionary barrack blocks each accommodated a century of 80 men plus their officers, and were normally arranged in groups of 6 (a cohort of 480 men). Narrow streets gave access to facing pairs of barracks. The centurions' quarters were situated at the ends of the barracks, adjacent to a major road - either the perimeter road (via sagularis) or main transverse street (via principalis). The centurions' quarters were divided from those of the rank-and-file by a narrow alley. They were wider than the men's quarters but lacked a veranda. In ground plan they consisted of a corridor with rooms (including a private latrine) opening off on each side. The men's quarters consisted on 14 (later 11 or 12) units of two rooms for approximately eight men, fronted by a veranda that often contained an enclosed latrine at one end. The outer room was used to store equipment; the inner was for living and sleeping and contained a hearth. Only 10 pairs of rooms should have been needed to accommodate a century; the purpose of the spare rooms is uncertain. The first barracks were constructed using a timber frame with wattle-and-daub infilled panels. These timber barracks underwent a varying number of re-buildings in a relatively short period of time. From about AD 100, there was intermittent rebuilding in stone (perhaps with timber superstructures). However, there were also periods of abandonment. A comprehensive rebuilding was finally undertaken in the early third century. These barracks had much the same plan as their timber predecessors. A diminished number of barracks continued to be occupied into the fourth century.