Monument record 8463 - Early Roman construction activity at Eastgate Street

Archaeological investigations at the Dark Row, Chester’s fully enclosed Eastgate Street Row, recorded traces of an early Roman structure of uncertain form and function comprising six small post or stake holes [Features 101; 120; 121; 122; 128; 130] and a possible Roman pit [Feature 118]. These features cut into the earlier soil deposits (CHER 8462), three of which appeared to follow a north-south alignment at the western end of the trench [Features 120; 121; 122] with the remaining features following a broadly north-east to south-west alignment [Features 101; 128; 130].

Although no finds were recovered from this phase, the stratigraphic sequence is consistent with a late first century to early second century date and identified as Phase 2a of the report. It was immediately followed by timber framed construction of a narrow range in Phase 2b (CHER 8364)

Although the limited nature of the site, and the degree of modern disturbance made investigation difficult, the evidence is consistent with an early structure of fence associated with the earliest phase of fortress construction. (1)

<1> Matthews K J, 1995, Excavations at Chester The Evolution of the Heart of the City 3-15 Eastgate Street (Monograph). SCH6151.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1990, 11-13 Eastgate Street, Chester (formerly Owen Owen): An Archaeological Evaluation, R2084 (Client Report). SCH4116.