Monument record 8357 - Roman 'hiatus layer' across the Deanery Field site

Archaeological investigations carried out by Newstead in 1922 in the southern part of the Deanery Field recorded a period of pitting was recorded across the structure possibly associated with the hiatus period and containing domestic refuse including animal remains and pottery fragments while later floor surfaces were also recorded stratigraphically overlying the pitting activity and containing a coin of Constantine. (1)

Archaeological investigations in the Deanery Field carried out by Prof Newstead in 1935 identified a series of deposits across the site that appeared to indicated a period of reduced activity later interpreted as a ‘military hiatus’ layer (Strickland). Dating evidence suggests a mid second century to early third century date for this period. (22)

The evidence comprised a more or less uniform deposit covering the foundations and floors of the original structures at the Deanery Field. The deposit contained building debris and ceramic material and at the Deanery Field at least was 0.30-0.90m thick. Coins recovered from this deposit indicate a late second century date. (2)

<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.

<2> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1936, Excavations in the Deanery Field and Abbey Green, 1935 (Article in Journal). SCH6480.

<3> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 2/33-8 Watkin W T 1884 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<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.

<6> Newstead, R and J P Droop, 1935, The Roman Fortress at Chester: a Newly Discovered Turret and Rampart Building (Article in Journal). SCH6474.

<7> Droop, J P and R Newstead, 1931, Excavations in the Deanery Field, Chester, 1928 (Article in Journal). SCH6475.

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

<9> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 36/8-10 Watkin W T 1887 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

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

<12> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1928, Report on the Excavations on the Site of the Roman Fortress at the Deanery Field, Chester (Article in Journal). SCH6477.

<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.

<22> Mason, D. J. P., 2000, Excavations at Chester: The Elliptical building: An image of the Roman world?, p105-108 (Monograph). SCH6158.