Monument record 8364 - Roman Centurion's House D (via Decumana east) 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 investigations at Abbey Green between 1975 and 1977 recorded evidence of three centurion’s houses’ immediately to the south of the intervallum road from the insula to the east of the via Decumana. Area 6, excavated in the south-east corner of the site recorded the north-west corner of the building (referred to as the east building in sources).

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

At least seven phases of activity relating to the centurion’s house was recorded beginning with its initial construction in timber in the late first century. This then appears to have been replaced at the start of the second century by a second timber structure on the same footprint that survived until the end of the century. Although a drop in activity was recorded in the late second century (attributed to the ‘military hiatus’ phase) the house appears to have remained standing until it was demolished in the early third century and replaced by a stone construction that lasted until the Saxon period.

The earliest evidence for the West building dates to the late first century AD and the construction of a timber framed building approximately 11m wide. Features identified included beam slots and post holes for internal and external walls. The early timber building was subsequently replaced at the start of the second century by a second timber building, the evidence for which was more extensive. This structure appeared to have had a tiled roof and walls infilled with wattle and daub.

In the late second century alteration of the existing structure appears to have ceased with faint traces of pitting activity in the area interpreted as the ‘military hiatus’ period.

At the start of the third century the centurion’s house was rebuilt in stone over the demolition layer of the timber building. The plan of the stone walls indicated a structure 11m in width with a conventional internal layout comprising a central corridor with rooms to either side. Evidence of a substantial and well designed lead lined latrine flushing into the gutters of the intervallum road. Fragments of a doorway from the latrine room were also encountered. This building survived for the remainder of the Roman period with evidence of at least one phase of internal alterations.

<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.