Monument record 8449/2 - Edgar's Field - First to Third Century Quarry, and Quarrying Debris

Identified over the course of two excavations in Edgar’s Field in 1923 (ECH3097) and 1927 (ECH3098) was a substantial layer of mixed quarrying debris (4). The very thick deposit of largely unhewn blocks of sandstone, from a depth of 1.1m below the present ground surface to at least 2.28m below (where excavation was discontinued), also contained some fragments of dressed blocks. Some of the stones had evidence of burning, and a substantial amount of charcoal was notes throughout the deposit (4). Where possible, the pottery and other finds could be dated largely to the second century, but there was a small element of third to fourth century material also (particularly in those areas excavated in 1927). It was concluded that the deposit of broken rock was the result of quarrying operations that took place at the end of the first, or second century, with additional evidence for some later activities in this area, possibly additional quarrying at specific locations outside of these particular excavation areas. The base of the quarry was not reached at any location during these excavations (4). The substantial layer of sandstone quarrying debris was also identified during a later watching brief in 1996 (11). During those groundworks, the deposit was recorded in the area nearest Handbridge Rd., and was in the form of a mass of loose rock, highly suggestive of chippings, along with great quantities of Roman finds, including pottery, bone objects and bronze brooches (11). Other groundworks that took place in 1999 (12, 13) reported a similar rubble layer spilling into the ancient riverbed. No other information on the nature of the latter discovery is available.

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, /197-200 (Book). SCH2878.

<2> British Archaeological Association, 1847-present, Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 5/215 Roach Smith C (Journal/Periodical). SCH1578.

<3> Moore CN, 1987, Report of the Curator, Grosvenor Museum to Amenities Committee: Shrine of the Goddess Minerva and the Roman Quarry Face in Edgar's Field Handbridge, Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH2851.

<4> Newstead, Robert (Prof.), 1926, Records of Archaeological Finds at Chester, Newstead R 1926 27/103-151 (Article in Journal). SCH5955.

<5> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Taylor M V & Collingwood R G 1927 17/194,212 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<6> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/183-184 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<7> Horsley J, 1732, Britannia Romana, /316/Ches IV Horsley 1732 (Book). SCH449.

<8> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 27582 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<8> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 27582 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<9> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.343 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<10> Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Revised List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, City of Chester Extra Mural 1998/ 76 (Unpublished Report). SCH4570.

<11> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1997, The Past Uncovered (Newsletter). SCH6015.

<12> Chester Archaeology, 1999, Dig News (Newsletter). SCH6461.

<13> Chester Archaeology, 1999, Dig News (Newsletter). SCH6371.