Monument record 8169 - Roman rampart building (No 26) at Linenhall Street

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Summary

Evidence of a rampart building near Trinity Street was encountered during archaeological investigations in the 1960s dating to the late first to late second century. The area between the rampart and the internal buildings was known as the intervallum. The inner half of this strip was occupied by the perimeter road (via sagularis). Backing onto the rampart was a series of 'rampart buildings' and bread ovens. The rampart buildings were initially of timber but were rebuilt in stone about the start of the second century. Some at least were demolished as early as the middle of that century. In their stone form they contained three rooms and measured 12.3m x 7.3m. They were often arranged in groups of three and may have served as mess-rooms, one rampart building serving two barracks.

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Full Description

Archaeological excavations carried out in Linenhall Street between 1961 and 1962 by F H Thompson of the Grosvenor Museum recorded further evidence of the Roman defensive system. In all 24 trenches were excavated across a substantial area with the aim of establishing the exact line and composition of the Roman defences on the western side of the fortress. (1)

Traces of a stone rampart building measuring 21.3m by 7.3m was encountered in trenches 14, 16 and 20-22, although dating evidence was limited, this building perhaps fell out of use by the end of the second century. (1)

<1> Thompson F.H, 1969, Excavations at Linenhall Street, Chester 1961-62 (Article in Journal). SCH5894.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1963, Linenhall Street Site Record (Unpublished Report). SCH6564.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p158 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol 40 p97-98 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<5> Webster, Graham, 1953, Excavations on the Legionary Defences at Chester, 1949-52 (Part ii) (Article in Journal). SCH5727.

Sources/Archives (5)

<1> SCH5894 Article in Journal: Thompson F.H. 1969. Excavations at Linenhall Street, Chester 1961-62. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. 56.
<2> SCH6564 Unpublished Report: Chester Archaeology. 1963. Linenhall Street Site Record.
<3> SCH3556 Book: Harris, B.E. (ed). 1987. Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I. p158.
<4> SCH1519 Journal/Periodical: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1911-Present. Journal of Roman Studies. Vol 40 p97-98.
<5> SCH5727 Article in Journal: Webster, Graham. 1953. Excavations on the Legionary Defences at Chester, 1949-52 (Part ii). Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. Volume 40.

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Location

Grid reference	Centred SJ 403 663 (14m by 24m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	SJ46NW
Civil Parish	CHESTER NON PARISH AREA, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County	CHESTER, CHESTER HOLY TRINITY, CHESHIRE

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Record last edited

Sep 30 2024 4:37PM