Monument record 8407 - Roman 'military hiatus' layer at 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, in the mid second century there appears to have been a period of dereliction across the site thought to represent the 'mid second century military hiatus' period. This was characterised in the archaeological record by an accumulation of building debris and dumping of waste from neighbouring areas including metal working material, the early second century workshops were demolished and the site left open. (1)

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. (21)

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). (21)

<1> Mason, D. J. P., 2000, Excavations at Chester: The Elliptical building: An image of the Roman world?, p102 (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.

<21> Mason, D. J. P., 2001, Roman Chester: City of the Eagles, p155 (Book). SCH6164.