Monument record 8371 - Roman Centurions House (Via Decumana west) at Northgate Brewery

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Summary

Evidence of the third centurion's house to the west of the via Decumana was recorded during archaeological investigations at the former Northgate Brewery in the 1970s. This site lies within the retentura or the rear ward section of the fortress that was almost entirely given over to barracks for four cohorts, one to either side of the via Decumana (Northgate Street) and one in the north east and north west corners of the fortress. The evidence from this structure was limited to a single wall on a north-south alignment tentatively interpreted by the excavator as the western external wall of a centurion's house. Legionary barrack blocks each accommodated a century of 80 men plus their officers, and were normally arranged in groups of 6 (a cohort of 480 men). Narrow streets gave access to facing pairs of barracks. The centurions' quarters were situated at the ends of the barracks, adjacent to a major road - either the perimeter road (via sagularis) or main transverse street (via principalis). The centurions' quarters were divided from those of the rank-and-file by a narrow alley. They were wider than the men's quarters but lacked a veranda. In ground plan they consisted of a corridor with rooms (including a private latrine) opening off on each side. The men's quarters consisted on 14 (later 11 or 12) units of two rooms for approximately eight men, fronted by a veranda that often contained an enclosed latrine at one end. The outer room was used to store equipment; the inner was for living and sleeping and contained a hearth. Only 10 pairs of rooms should have been needed to accommodate a century; the purpose of the spare rooms is uncertain. The first barracks were constructed using a timber frame with wattle-and-daub infilled panels. These timber barracks underwent a varying number of re-buildings in a relatively short period of time. From about AD 100, there was intermittent rebuilding in stone (perhaps with timber superstructures). However, there were also periods of abandonment. A comprehensive rebuilding was finally undertaken in the early third century. These barracks had much the same plan as their timber predecessors. A diminished number of barracks continued to be occupied into the fourth century.

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Type and Period (2)

Full Description

Traces of a Roman structure interpreted as a Centurion’s house was recorded during archaeological investigations at the Northgate Brewery in 1972 from Area 007. The evidence from this area comprised the rubble foundations of three dry stone walls. Two parallel walls recorded on a north-south alignment were spaced 1.8m apart and survived for a length of 3.5m. From the most easterly of these a cross-wall extended east for 1.5m. Traces of wall plaster were recovered from across the site. (1)

Given its location within the fortress, it is suggested that the eastern wall on a north-south alignment and its cross wall represented the western edge of a centurion’s house while the western wall on a north-south alignment possibly belonged to the adjacent centurion’s house (CHER 8372). (1)

<1> Davey, P. J., 1973, Chester Northgate Brewery Phase One, p6-8 (Monograph). SCH950.

<2> multiple authors, 1973, Excavation Reports and Summaries (Article in Journal). SCH5782.

<3> Strickland T.J & Ward, S.W., 1978, Excavations at Chester Northgate Brewery 1974-5: A Roman Centurion's Quarters and Barrack (Excavation & survey reports) (Monograph). SCH1208.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p151-2,157,163 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol 40 p97-98 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<6> Strickland, T.J., 1980, First century Deva: some evidence reconsidered in the light of recent archaeological discoveries (Article in Journal). SCH5923.

<7> multiple authors, 1974, Excavation Reports and Summaries Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5790.

<8> Anon, 1973, March 1973: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5739.

<9> Anon, 1973, September 1973: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH6497.

<10> Lloyd-Morgan G., 1977, Mirrors in Roman Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5915.

<11> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1972, Northgate Brewery Excavations summary (Newsletter). SCH6225.

<12> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1973, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6226.

<13> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1973, Summary of Excavations So Far (Newsletter). SCH6227.

Sources/Archives (13)

<1> SCH950 Monograph: Davey, P. J.. 1973. Chester Northgate Brewery Phase One. Survey Report No 1a. p6-8.
<2> SCH5782 Article in Journal: multiple authors. 1973. Excavation Reports and Summaries. Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin. Pilot Issue.
<3> SCH1208 Monograph: Strickland T.J & Ward, S.W.. 1978. Excavations at Chester Northgate Brewery 1974-5: A Roman Centurion's Quarters and Barrack (Excavation & survey reports). Survey Report No 1b.
<4> SCH3556 Book: Harris, B.E. (ed). 1987. Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I. p151-2,157,163.
<5> SCH1519 Journal/Periodical: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1911-Present. Journal of Roman Studies. Vol 40 p97-98.
<6> 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.
<7> SCH5790 Article in Journal: multiple authors. 1974. Excavation Reports and Summaries Sites Observed. Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin. No 2.
<8> SCH5739 Article in Journal: Anon. 1973. March 1973: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 21.
<9> SCH6497 Article in Journal: Anon. 1973. September 1973: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No. 22.
<10> SCH5915 Article in Journal: Lloyd-Morgan G.. 1977. Mirrors in Roman Chester. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. 60.
<11> SCH6225 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1972. Northgate Brewery Excavations summary. December 1972.
<12> SCH6226 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1973. Summary of Excavations in Chester. February 1973.
<13> SCH6227 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1973. Summary of Excavations So Far. April 1973.

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Event - Intervention: Excavations on the Site of Northgate Brewery, Chester in 1972 - 1973 (Phase I) (Ref: CHE/NGB72) (ECH2816)

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Location

Grid reference	SJ 403 666 (point) 8 Figure Ref
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

May 7 2013 6:05PM