Monument record 8476 - Second Century Rubbish Deposits and Stone-Capped Culvert, South of Dee House

During an archaeological watching brief and evaluation carried out to the south of the Dee House in 2001, a number of deposits and features of Roman date were recorded (1). Near a stone-cut pit (CHER 8475), was a large stone-capped culvert on a northeast – southwest alignment, 2m wide, 1.9m deep, with steep concave sides and a stepped profile at the base.

The step near the base of the linear feature had been cut to accommodate the large rectangular capping stones of the culvert. Sealed by the capping stones, the culvert contained a primary fill with silt, believed to have washed in over time from the southern entrance of the amphitheatre (unexcavated), while above the stones was a fill containing finds dating to the mid second century (1). This feature has been interpreted as part of one of the sewers serving the amphitheatre at its southern side.

<1> Gifford and Partners, 2001, Report on an archaeological excavation and watching brief at Dee House, Chester, R2665 (Client Report). SCH4776.