Monument record 8201/5 - Evidence of the Roman North rampart at Abbey Green

Evidence of the Roman earth rampart was recorded during excavations in Abbey Green between 1975 and 1977. The rampart was encountered overlying an early timber interval tower (CHER 8487). The earth rampart encountered at Abbey Green consisted of the typical construction recorded elsewhere in the fortress comprising a timber strapping base each timber being around 4cm in diameter with substantial 2m wide turf revetments constructed at the front and at the rear of the feature, the remaining area was then in-filled with a 2m wide core of rubble and sand. Two further layers of timber strapping were also encountered at 0.75m and 1.50m above the base. (1)

A short length of the rampart walk was also recorded in situ, this comprised a section of sandstone paving set directly onto the rampart 3.7m from the vertical rear face and 1.9m above the base suggesting that the full height of the rampart was encountered at this location. (1)

In the early third century the earth rampart was raised and extended over the remains of the ovens and rampart buildings. (1)

The defences of the Roman fortress comprised several components: The rampart (artificial bank), built in the late first century, consisted of a core of sand, clay or rubble held in place to the front and rear by revetments of stacked turves. It was set on a base of close-set transverse logs and measured approx 6m wide by perhaps 3m high. The top of the rampart would have been flattened to create a walkway that could be patrolled and would have had been protected by a wooden palisade. In all the defences defined a rectangular space some 592m long and 411m wide.

<1> Newstead, R and J P Droop, 1935, The Roman Fortress at Chester: a Newly Discovered Turret and Rampart Building (Article in Journal). SCH6474.

<2> McPeake J.C. Bulmer M & Rutter J.A, 1980, Excavations in the garden of No. 1 Abbey Green, Chester, 1975-77 (Article in Journal). SCH5924.

<3> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Taylor M V & Collingwood R G 1935 25/208 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<4> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 7/319-20 Wilson D R 1976 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<5> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 8/385 Wilson D R 1977 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<6> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 9/429-30 Wilson D R 1978 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<7> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p122-4, 127-8 (Book). SCH3556.

<8> McPeake J.C., 1978, The First Century, /13-16 (Article in Journal). SCH6310.

<9> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2004, Proposed breach in the City Walls at Rufus Court, Chester, R2533 (Client Report). SCH4587.