Monument record 8496 - Late Roman building of the First Cohort (Goss Street east)

Archaeological investigations on the east side of Goss Street between 1948-9 and 1973 have identified evidence of a Roman structure interpreted as either a barrack block or a row of open fronted shops (tabernae). In 1948-9 evidence of rooms 1, 2, 4 6 8 & 9 progressing from the southern to northern end of the structure while further evidence of rooms 7-10 were also encountered in 1973. A series of phases have been suggested following the 1973 excavations consisting of early/pre fortress activity in the mid first century (phase 0). The first phase of definite Roman activity dates to the late first century and the primary timber phase construction of a long, narrow building on a north south alignment with a verandah to the east. The timber structure was subsequently rebuilt in stone (phase 2) using approximately the same dimensions and layout. Phase 3 saw significant changes to the form and function of the structure with the cutting of latrines and refuse pits in the internal floors indicative of a period of disuse. The number, scale and inter-relationships of these features indicate a prolonged period for this phase from perhaps 130AD to 230AD. It was suggested that this corresponded with the second century hiatus period seen elsewhere in Chester. Phase 4 consisted of a complete reconstruction of the structure following the same dimensions and layout in the mid third century. Some reorganisation of the internal layout of the building then occurred in phase 5 with a later insertion of internal floors of a higher quality than previously seen. The evidence for the third century stone building was broadly similar to the second century structure being 5.33m wide and divided into a series of squarish rooms of a similar size, evidence to two complete rooms were encountered along with sections of a further two corresponding to rooms 7-10 of the structure with the veranda with a colonnade lying to the east of the rooms facing the headquarters. Internally several clay floor surfaces were identified along with wall foundations consisting of mortared layers of cobble and sandstone. The colonnade identified to the east of the structure comprised a series of three pier bases approximately 0.94m square and 0.30m deep while the surface of the veranda itself comprised a pebble floor. Evidence of a late stage of reorganisation of the barrack was encountered during investigations in 1973 with the rooms now divided into three rather than two internal spaces. 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. The First Cohort was double strength in the first century AD under the command of 5 centurions, and continued thereafter to be stronger than the other cohorts. It was situated on the right-hand side of the headquarters building. At Chester its accommodation is currently poorly understood; it appears to have consisted of at least 5 barracks of normal type and 5 single-range buildings. The buildings at the eastern end of the cohort are yet to be interpreted satisfactorily. There is room for 6 buildings in the position reserved for centurions' quarters.