Monument record 8478 - Second century workshop B 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 (1)

A single beam slot [TS5] on a north south alignment recorded in trench L2 during investigations in 1968 was interpreted as the remains of a timber framed building over the southern half of the elliptical building. Although the evidence for this structure was slight, more extensive traces of a second structure to the north (CHER 8406) may be seen as a parallel building. (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.