Monument record 8360 - Possible Roman temporary structure at Abbey Green

<1> McPeake J.C. Bulmer M & Rutter J.A, 1980, Excavations in the garden of No. 1 Abbey Green, Chester, 1975-77 (Article in Journal). SCH5924.

Archaeological investigation at Abbey Green between 1975 and 1977 recorded some of the earliest evidence of early Roman activity in the mid first century.

The evidence comprised the foundation trenches, the fill of which comprised clean sand, of a timber framed building on a northeast to southwest alignment approximately 8m in length and 4m in width. One possible internal partition was encountered [M61]. No postholes were encountered within the foundation trenches however.

The presence of this structure has given rise to some speculation: the theory originally put forward by the excavator was that its abnormal alignment would indicate this was a temporary structure connected with the initial construction of the fortress.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1992, Excavations in the garden of No 1 Abbey Green: Roman Barracks (Client Report). SCH6809.

Subsequent analysis of the archive from this excavation has introduced another theory, suggesting a natural origin for these features. The argument being that the very clean nature of the fill, with no contexts or finds recovered, would suggest a natural origin. Secondly no evidence of postholes indicative of a timber building were recovered and finally, the natural geology excavated in this area has recovered similar evidence of sand filled natural features associated with fault lines.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, pp151 & 157 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 7/319-320 Wilson D R 1976 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<5> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 8/385 Frere S S 1977 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<6> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 9/429-30 Wilson D R 1978 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<7> Petch A.J, 1978, Introduction (Article in Journal). SCH6309.

<8> McPeake J.C., 1978, The First Century (Article in Journal). SCH6310.

<9> Strickland, T.J., 1978, The Fortress in the Second and Third Centuries (Article in Journal). SCH6312.

<10> Anon, 1976, March 1976: North West Newsletter. Excavations, p18-19 (Article in Journal). SCH5748.

<11> multiple authors, 1973, Stray Finds, p58-60 (Article in Journal). SCH5780.

<12> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1975, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6237.

<13> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1975, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6238.

<14> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1975, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6239.

<15> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1976, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6256.

<16> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1976, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6257.

<17> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1976, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6258.

<18> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1978, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6261.

<19> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1983, Recent research on the defences of Roman Chester (Newsletter). SCH6223.

<20> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1975, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6236.

<21> Strickland, T.J., 1980, First century Deva: some evidence reconsidered in the light of recent archaeological discoveries (Article in Journal). SCH5923.