Monument record 8374 - Roman barracks block (via Decumana west) at Northgate Brewery

Evidence for a timber structure interpreted as the northern end of a legionary barrack block was recorded during archaeological investigations at the Northgate Brewery site between 1974-75. The evidence comprised two parallel walls in trench 4 [Feature H46 and H47] on an east-west alignment and a further east-west aligned wall to the west in trench 5 [Feature H49] on a similar alignment to wall H47 in trench 4. (2)

The features H47 & H49 were interpreted by the excavators as the northern wall of the legionary barrack blocks while H46 may have belonged to a separate building, possibly the centurion’s house to the north (CHER 8373). A possible post pit belonging to the veranda was also recorded to the east and appeared to be enclosed at the northern end by an extension of the north external wall. Little else can be said about this structure given the extremely limited nature of the features recorded however it would appear the barrack was 11m wide, much larger than the 9.5m wide structures at the Old Market Hall site. (2)

The evidence for the stone built barrack block remained equally slight due to the limited nature of the excavation. No evidence of a structure was recorded during the mid second century comparable with the early stone phase of the centurions house (CHER 8373). While the evidence from the late second century and the main stone phase of the centurion’s house comprised just traces of a possible post pit from the barrack block veranda, a cess pit dug into the veranda floor may indicate the creation of latrine in this area, and a stone paved surface from trench 4. The only traces of walls were recorded in trench 5 where the corner of two intersecting walls was recorded [Wall W25 & W26] along with traces of accumulation deposits. (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.