Monument record 8491 - Possible Roman structure at Hunter Street

Archaeological investigations to the north of Hunter Street in 2002 recorded traces of a probable Roman structure tentatively interpreted as part of a barrack block. Test pit 7 recorded traces of a slab floor and a wall footing [Context 83] characteristic of a barrack veranda. The wall contained traces of render on its south face indicating its inner face with traces of an opus signinum floor to the south. These features are tentatively interpreted as a barrack block on an east-west alignment (1)

However this site lies within an area of the fortress that is little understood at present, a series of legionary quarters have been located to the north in the retentura (rear ward area) while evidence of a single granary has been identified at the western end of Hunter Street. Further archaeological evidence from this area is limited to isolated sections of walls and surfaces that cannot be adequately interpreted at this stage. If this were to represent a barrack block on an east-west alignment the building would sit in isolation with no available space nearby for the usual complement of legionary quarters.

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2002, Proposed Northgate Redevelopment, Bus Station Site, Hunter Street, Chester. An Archaeological Impact Assessment (Phase 2), R3145 (Client Report). SCH6216.