Monument record 8502 - Late Roman centurions house (via Decumana west) at Northgate Brewery

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Summary

Extensive evidence of the final 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. Substantial evidence for a later stone built structure overlying the timber framed building was also encountered. Renewed activity on the site appears to have eventually started in the mid to late second century and continued for the remainder of the Roman period with a new structure built to much the same design as the earlier timber construction indicating some continuity of form. Several periods of repair and maintenance could be detected in many of the features recorded. 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 (3)

Full Description

Evidence for a stone structure interpreted as a centurion’s house was recorded during archaeological investigations at the Northgate Brewery site between 1974-75. Several phases of activity throughout the Roman period were recorded with three phases of timber construction followed by at least three phases of stone construction. By the mid second century the timber structure (CHER 8373/1) had been replaced by an early stone construction (CHER 8373/2) however this appeared to have been marked also by an extensive amount of pitting activity. (2)

Renewed activity on the site appears to have eventually started in the mid to late second century and continued for the remainder of the Roman period with a new structure built to much the same design as the earlier timber construction indicating some continuity of form. Several periods of repair and maintenance could be detected in many of the features recorded. (2)

Some of the walls identified in the early stone phase were subsequently rebuilt from the foundation up while others were clearly robbed out completely. A levelling deposit was also laid down across the site in preparation for the new structure whose dimensions appeared to be somewhat similar to the timber building being 11.8m wide and somewhere between 18.5m and 26m in length and comprised broadly of two ranges of rooms divided by a central corridor. Several floor surfaces were encountered primarily comprising cream mortar. (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> Monograph: Davey, P. J.. 1973. Chester Northgate Brewery Phase One. Survey Report No 1a. p6-8.
  • <2> 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> 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> Book: Harris, B.E. (ed). 1987. Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I. p151-2,157,163.
  • <5> Journal/Periodical: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1911-Present. Journal of Roman Studies. Vol 40 p97-98.
  • <6> Article in Journal: Anon. 1974. September 1974: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 24.
  • <7> Article in Journal: Anon. 1975. March 1975: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 25.
  • <8> Article in Journal: Anon. 1973. March 1973: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No 21.
  • <9> Article in Journal: Anon. 1973. September 1973: North West Newsletter. Excavations. Council for British Archaeology. Group 5 Newsletter North West. No. 22.
  • <10> Article in Journal: Lloyd-Morgan G.. 1977. Mirrors in Roman Chester. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. 60.
  • <11> Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1972. Northgate Brewery Excavations summary. December 1972.
  • <12> Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1974. Summary of Excavations in Chester. August/September 1974.
  • <13> Newsletter: Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter. 1974. Summary of Excavations in Chester. October/November 1974.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 403 666 (20m by 28m) (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