Monument record 8346 - Evidence for Barrack Block A at Deanery Field in 1924

Archaeological investigations at Deanery Field in 1924 by Prof Newstead recorded evidence of two parallel structures on a north-south alignment interpreted as barrack buildings. To the west traces of three suites of rooms (contubernia) could be identified within the barracks, identified as Barrack A. Traces of three column bases to the east indicate the location of a colonnaded veranda. (1)

The western barracks was less extensively excavated with traces of walls and rubble foundations indicating only four smaller outer rooms identified by Newstead as rooms 1-4. A shrine was recorded against the north wall in room 1. The larger, inner, rooms 1a to 4a were not fully excavated. The foundations were substantial, comprising broken sandstone set in and evenly coursed with well made mortar, a late first century samian dish was recovered from the foundation providing a date of construction. Traces of doorways between the rooms was clearly identified in two occasions in rooms 3 and 4. (1)

Floor surfaces identified in this barrack included poor quality opus signinum floor in room 1 along with an inscribed marble tablet, further opus signinum floors were recorded in room 2, 3 and 4 although it would appear the outer room were not made of cement but rather of sandstone. All floors showed signs of extensive wear. (1)

Traces of two hearths were identified in rooms 2a and 3a against the partition wall of each suite. The hearths comprised a series of hearth stones and courses of burnt masonry forming the back of the hearth. (1)

Three post pits from the colonnaded veranda were identified to the east, each comprising substantial rubble foundations. A clay hearth on the surface of the veranda was also recovered (1)

<1> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1924, Report on the Excavations on the Site of the Roman Camp at the Deanery Field, Chester (Article in Journal). SCH6478.

<4> Webster, Graham, 1953, Excavations on the Legionary Defences at Chester, 1949-52 (Part ii), p17-23 (Article in Journal). SCH5727.

<5> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, pp149-51,157 (Book). SCH3556.

<8> Droop, J P and R Newstead, 1931, Excavations in the Deanery Field, Chester, 1928, Part II: the Finds (Article in Journal). SCH6476.

<10> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p158-9 (Book). SCH2878.

<13> Thompson, F.H., 1964, A History of Cheshire. Volume Two: Roman Cheshire (Book). SCH2862.

<14> Wright, R. P. & Richmond, I. A., 1955, Catalogue of the Roman Inscribed and Sculptured Stones in the Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Monograph). SCH522.

<15> Lloyd-Morgan G., 1981, Jet and shale in the archaeological collections of the Grosvenor Museum (Article in Journal). SCH5932.

<16> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<17> Lloyd-Morgan G., 1977, Mirrors in Roman Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5915.

<18> Lloyd-Morgan G., 1978, Some small Roman Bronzes in the Grovsenor Museum, Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5917.

<19> Newstead, Robert (Prof.), 1926, Records of Archaeological Finds at Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5955.

<20> Collingwood R G & Wright R P, 1965, The Roman Inscriptions of Britain: Volume I (Monograph). SCH3235.

<21> LeQuesne C, 1999, Excavations at Chester: The Roman and Later Defences Part I (Monograph). SCH6156.