Monument record 8501 - Roman 'military hiatus' layer at Northgate Brewery

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Summary

Archaeological investigations at the former Northgate Brewery site in the late 1970s identified a number of pits and spreads of domestic waste across the site overlying the earlier Roman structures. Although dating evidence was limited, it would appear the site was subsequently levelled prior to the construction of the later Roman structures. A general period of abandonment or change of use appears to have affected the entire fortress of Chester in the second century, it is represented in the archaeological record in a number of ways including an increase in refuse pitting and spreads of domestic and organic waste (often described as ‘dark earth’ or ‘black rubbish’ layers) but also with a general dereliction of structures through a lack of repair and maintenance. Although the evidence clearly indicates activity throughout the period, it is not characteristic of military activity and it has been suggested that it represents a period when the 20th legion was not based in the city but rather carrying out operations in the north of England. The term mid second century military hiatus period is generally used for this period in order to differentiate it from the later period of ‘dark earth’ in the late/post Roman to Saxon period. In the area of the legionary quarters, evidence for abandonment has been recorded during excavations at Northgate Brewery and Abbey Green in the northern part of the fortress as well as at St Martin’s Fields and the area of the First Cohort (Crook Street) to the west of the Headquarters building from excavations at Eastgate Street to the east, and at the Grosvenor Centre to the east of the Fortress baths. Further evidence of limited activity has been recorded at ‘public’ structures within the fortress at the Baths on Bridge Street, the Headquarters, the large masonry building, the Elliptical building and adjacent baths site, on Hunter Street and at the structures in insula 21 (Princess Street).

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Type and Period (3)

Full Description

The evidence suggests that little of the final timber phase structure remained in situ by the mid second century and evidence of a demolition deposit was recorded in only part of one trench. The earliest phase of stone construction comprised several of walls and wall foundations across the site however the evidence was constricted by a number of rubbish and cess pits overlying them, probably from the mid to late second century. These features were tentatively interpreted as either an unfinished structure or a structure of a different layout to that of the timber phase. (2)

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

<2> 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.

<3> Strickland, T.J., 1980, First century Deva: some evidence reconsidered in the light of recent archaeological discoveries (Article in Journal). SCH5923.

<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> Anon, 1974, September 1974: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5742.

<7> Anon, 1975, March 1975: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5746.

<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, 1974, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6233.

<13> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1974, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6234.

Sources/Archives (13)

<1> SCH950 Monograph: Davey, P. J.. 1973. Chester Northgate Brewery Phase One. Survey Report No 1a. p6-8.
<2> 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.
<3> 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.
<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> SCH5742 Article in Journal: Anon. 1974. September 1974: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 24.
<7> SCH5746 Article in Journal: Anon. 1975. March 1975: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 25.
<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> SCH6233 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1974. Summary of Excavations in Chester. August/September 1974.
<13> SCH6234 Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1974. Summary of Excavations in Chester. October/November 1974.

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Event - Intervention: Excavations on the site of Northgate Brewery, Chester in 1974 - 1975 (Phase II) (Ref: CHE/NGB74) (ECH2841)

External Links (0)

Location

Grid reference	Centred SJ 40 66 (35m by 85m) (2 map features)
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 1:27PM