Monument record 8406 - Second century workshop A on the site of the 'Elliptical' building

The archaeological investigations of the Elliptical building at the site of the Old Market Hall revealed a complex history of activity throughout the Roman period beginning with the early evidence of pre fortress or early fortress construction (CHER 8504-8506) followed by the initial phases of construction of the Elliptical building itself in the late first century (CHER 8161). Following the abandonment of the elliptical building the area appears to have been put to other uses with evidence of several timber structures overlying the first century building. These structures appear to date to the second century and may have been erected during the late first to early second century. (1)

Archaeological investigations in 1968 recorded evidence of a timber framed structure comprising a north-south aligned beam slot [TS2] in trenches M4-M5 with a perpendicular slot [TS1] on an east-west alignment towards the northern end. A second north-south aligned wall was also recorded parallel with, and some distance to the east of, TS2 interpreted as an internal partition wall. The partition wall comprised two sections, the termination of the first section was recorded in trench M4 while the second section started a short distance to the north and itself terminated before it reached the east-west wall TS1. (1)

Three substantial hearths were recorded to the east of the internal partition wall in trench L5 along with substantial remains of metal working debris. Of these hearths, only one was excavated in full, measuring 1.20m in diameter it comprised a shallow depression of in-filled with a rubble core and surrounded by a semi circular arrangement of sandstone blocks. A second hearth to the west was of a similar dimension while the third hearth proved to be far more substantial. (1)

A possible veranda was also recorded to the north of the timber framed structure with evidence of a small hearth, several pits and a post pit. The hearth on the veranda comprised several small flat sandstone blocks and fragments of tile bonded with clay, overall the hearth measured 0.60m in diameter. (1)

The workshops appear to have been demolished sometime in the late first to early second century when the neighbouring structures were replaced in stone. (1)

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

<2> Newstead, R and J P Droop, 1939, Excavations at Chester, 1939. The Princess Street Clearance Area (Article in Journal). SCH5707.

<3> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol 54 p156 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<4> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol 58 p183 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<5> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, Vol 1 p292 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<6> Jones B., 1996, Squaring the Circle – parallels for the Chester ‘Elliptical Building’ (Article in Journal). SCH5770.

<7> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p142-144 (Book). SCH3556.

<8> Lloyd-Morgan G., 1977, Mirrors in Roman Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5915.

<9> Petch D.F, 1970-71, Excavations on the site of the Old Market Hall, Chester, second summary report. 1968-70 (Article in Journal). SCH5898.

<10> Anon, 1969, Abstract of Proceedings (Article in Journal). SCH5897.

<11> Anon, 1968, Abstract of Proceedings (Article in Journal). SCH5893.

<13> Petch A.J, 1978, Introduction (Article in Journal). SCH6309.

<14> n/a, 1940, Abstract of Proceedings (Article in Journal). SCH5755.

<15> n/a, 1939, Abstract of Proceedings (Article in Journal). SCH5706.

<16> Petch D.F, 1968, The Praetorium at Deva (Article in Journal). SCH5889.

<17> Petch A.J, 1978, The Major Buildings of the Fortress (Article in Journal). SCH6311.

<18> Mason, D. J. P., 1996, An elliptical peristyle building the fortress of Deva (Article in Journal). SCH6064.

<19> Thompson, F.H., 1964, A History of Cheshire. Volume Two: Roman Cheshire (Book). SCH2862.

<20> Mason, D. J. P., 2002, The Foundation of the Legionary Fortress: Deva, the Flavians and Imperial Symbolism (Article in Monograph). SCH6079.