Monument record 8405 - Late Roman building west of the 'Elliptical' building baths

In the late Roman period a small building on a north-south alignment was constructed at the west end of the area allocated to the bath complex. Traces of this structure have been recorded during archaeological investigations at Hamilton Place in 1994 when an area of internal flooring was encountered [Layer 1869] overlying a base construction deposit of sand. A single beam slot [Feature 1861] was also recorded near the floor area (1)

Further evidence of a structure to the west of the bath complex was recorded in 1965 and attributed to the Severan period of reconstruction. This comprised the rear wall of a building [Wall TW2] surviving to a height of just two courses and traces of a wall foundation interpreted as the front wall [Wall TW1]. Traces of an internal sandstone floor surface was also encountered. This building was also given a colonnaded portico to the west some 2.60m deep with a stylobate foundation [Wall TW3] some 1.35m wide.

A late Roman structure recorded to the west of the bath complex was recorded during archaeological investigations in 1994 comprising two parallel north-south aligned walls [Features 1886 & 1816/1903] resting of a rubble platform associated with an opus signinum floor. (2)

<1> Mason, D. J. P., 2000, Excavations at Chester: The Elliptical building: An image of the Roman world? (Monograph). SCH6158.

<2> Archaeological Services, 1995, Chester 12 Hamilton Place 1995 Assessment Report, R3127 (Client Report). SCH6195.

<3> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, 1988 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p143 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Petch D.F, 1970-71, Excavations on the site of the Old Market Hall, Chester, second summary report. 1968-70 (Article in Journal). SCH5898.