Monument record 8449/3 - Edgar's Field - Probable Large Hearth or Installation

Sealed by a substantial layer of quarrying debris (CHER 8449/2), excavated in 1923 very near to the Minerva Shrine (CHER 8449/1), was a stone-built feature that may have been a large hearth-like installation (4). Near the bottom of the trench nearest the shrine, was a large slab of unhewn sandstone, lying over vertically laced blocks that formed an irregular channel with a width of 0.55m and 1.2m long. At its base was a substantial amount of fine charcoal with charred plant material (brushwood). Although the structure resembled a drain, Newstead concluded that it was not appropriately constructed for that purpose, as there was loose, irregular bits of rock below the slabs that formed the sides of the channel; water would have soaked away. He concluded that it may have been a temporary hearth in the open, citing the mass of charcoal, and several sherds of fumed cooking pots recovered in the area (4).

<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to Amenities Committee: Shrine of the Goddess Minerva and the Roman Quarry Face in Edgar's Field Handbridge, Chester (Unpublished Report).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> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, No 63 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.