Monument record 8163 - Roman Barracks Block (latera praetorii west) at Hunter Street

Archaeological investigations in the Hunter Street/Princess Street area have identified evidence of a series of barracks arranged ‘per scamna’ (or east west). Several periods of investigations carried out in the 20th century have contributed to our understanding of the development of legionary barracks in Chester, however, funding and time limitations have meant that dissemination of the results has been varied and this area is best described together. Six legionary barrack blocks and their centurial quarters have been identified in this area, numbered 1 to 6 (or A to F) on a south to north progression from Princess Street to Hunter Street. The initial discovery of barracks in this area dates to 1909-1914 when Newstead excavated traces of the two northern barracks at the site of the former Masonic Lodge. This was followed by a series of small scale excavations by Mr Petch of the Grosvenor Museum between 1963 and 1965 across a large area to the rear of Watergate Street and Northgate Street recorded evidence of a structure tentatively interpreted as the first barrack. Sadly however the record for this excavation has largely been lost. This was followed by the 1978-82 phase of excavations in the Hunter Street area identifying evidence of four barracks. Finally, limited investigations in 1989 again recorded traces of a structure interpreted as barrack number 6 (alternatively, block F). The combined evidence indicates at least six principal phases of activity. Phase 1 (AD 70s-80s) consists of the earliest phase of barrack buildings; the archaeological impact is largely confined to often significantly truncated post holes and beam slots indicating a timber construction. This is followed by a second timber phase (AD 90-110) that is more extensively recorded at Chester. Phase 3 (AD 110-130) consists of the first period of stone construction, usually seen as a direct replacement of the final timber phase. Phase 4, commonly known as the ‘second century military hiatus’ is noted to a greater or lesser extent across most sites in Chester. This is followed by two major periods of construction; phase 5 (3rd century) is characterised by widespread rebuilding or alteration of existing structures while phase 6 (4th century) by further extensive alteration. 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.