Monument record 8365 - Roman rampart ovens at Abbey Green

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Summary

Archaeological investigations at Abbey Green between 1975 and 1977 recorded substantial evidence of Roman activity from the mid first century through to the end of the Roman period within the area of the intervallum zone. The ovens at Abbey Green were constructed in the late first century and continued in use until the end of the second century when the rampart was raised and extended over them. The area between the rampart and the internal buildings was known as the intervallum. The inner half of this strip was occupied by the perimeter road (via sagularis). Backing onto the rampart was a series of 'rampart buildings' and bread ovens. The rampart buildings were initially of timber but were rebuilt in stone about the start of the second century. Some at least were demolished as early as the middle of that century. In their stone form they contained three rooms and measured 12.3m x 7.3m. They were often arranged in groups of three and may have served as mess-rooms, one rampart building serving two barracks.

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Type and Period (1)

OVEN (AD 2nd Century to AD 3rd Century - 150 AD to 200 AD)

Full Description

Traces of several phases of ovens were recorded during archaeological investigations at Abbey Green between 1975-77 partially overlying a rampart building (CHER 8361). The ovens was constructed in the mid second century and continued in use until the end of the century. There is evidence also to suggest that following the partial or whole demolition of the rampart building parts of the walls were subsequently rebuilt to shelter the ovens. (1)

The ovens went out of use in around 200AD when the rampart was raised and extended over them. (1)

<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.

<2> Strickland, T.J., 1980, First century Deva: some evidence reconsidered in the light of recent archaeological discoveries (Article in Journal). SCH5923.

<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.

Sources/Archives (20)

<1> SCH5924 Article in Journal: McPeake J.C. Bulmer M & Rutter J.A. 1980. Excavations in the garden of No. 1 Abbey Green, Chester, 1975-77. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. 63.
<2> SCH5923 Article in Journal: Strickland, T.J.. 1980. First century Deva: some evidence reconsidered in the light of recent archaeological discoveries. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. 63.
<3> SCH3556 Book: Harris, B.E. (ed). 1987. Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I. pp151 & 157.
<4> SCH445 Journal/Periodical: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1970-Present. Britannia. I-XXXIV. 7/319-320 Wilson D R 1976.
<5> SCH445 Journal/Periodical: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1970-Present. Britannia. I-XXXIV. 8/385 Frere S S 1977.
<6> SCH445 Journal/Periodical: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1970-Present. Britannia. I-XXXIV. 9/429-30 Wilson D R 1978.
<7> SCH6309 Article in Journal: Petch A.J. 1978. Introduction. Chester Conference Nov 1977: New Evidence for Roman Chester.
<8> SCH6310 Article in Journal: McPeake J.C.. 1978. The First Century. Chester Conference Nov 1977: New Evidence for Roman Chester.
<9> SCH6312 Article in Journal: Strickland, T.J.. 1978. The Fortress in the Second and Third Centuries. Chester Conference Nov 1977: New Evidence for Roman Chester.
<10> SCH5748 Article in Journal: Anon. 1976. March 1976: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 27. p18-19.
<11> SCH5780 Article in Journal: multiple authors. 1973. Stray Finds. Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin. Pilot Issue. p58-60.
<12> SCH6237 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1975. Summary of Excavations in Chester. June/July 1975.
<13> SCH6238 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1975. Summary of Excavations in Chester. August/September 1975.
<14> SCH6239 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1975. Summary of Excavations in Chester. October/November 1975.
<15> SCH6256 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1976. Summary of Excavations in Chester. June / July 1976.
<16> SCH6257 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1976. Summary of Excavations in Chester. March / April 1976.
<17> SCH6258 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1976. Summary of Excavations in Chester. September / October 1976.
<18> SCH6261 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1978. Summary of Excavations in Chester. January / February 1978.
<19> SCH6223 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1983. Recent research on the defences of Roman Chester. December 1983.
<20> SCH6236 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1975. Summary of Excavations in Chester. March/April 1975.

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Location

Grid reference	SJ 40 66 (point) Approximate Position
Map sheet	SJ46NW
Civil Parish	CHESTER NON PARISH AREA, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County	CHESTER, CHESTER HOLY TRINITY, CHESHIRE

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Record last edited

Jul 4 2024 1:25PM