Monument record 8205/4 - The Roman East Rampart at the south east angle of the fortress

Evidence for the Roman defensive rampart between Thimbleby’s Tower and the south east angle tower has been recorded on a number of occasions since 1908.

In 1908 traces of the earth rampart were recorded surviving to a height of 1.5m and 0.8m thick to the rear of the fortress wall during excavations at No 12 St John Street, however there was evidence of later truncation on the interior edge of the rampart. The rampart was identified over a length of 4.5m (1)

Later investigations at No 12 St John Street in 1996 also encountered traces of the earth rampart in a single evaluation trench excavated to the rear of the known line of the Roman wall. The rampart consisted of layers of natural clay and turf comprising compacted blackish loam [208]. A later deposit of brown clay loam [205] appears to have been added over the original earthwork and it was suggested by the excavator that this represented a later phase of construction intended to heighten the rampart. (5)

In 1930 the earth rampart surrounding the south east angle tower was also recorded. In this case the bank consisted of layers of grey clay and blackish earth with traces of oak timbers in the lower part of the bank, possibly representing the timber strapping used as a base for the rampart. (2)

Later work in 1951 carried out by G Webster at the south east angle tower included a single trench 0.60m wide cutting the earth rampart allowing for the recording of a full profile of the rampart. The construction of the bank appeared typical of that recorded elsewhere comprising a timber strapping base, two sections of layered turves to the front and rear of the rampart and a rubble core. (4)

More recent investigations at the south east angle tower in 2011 also encountered evidence of the earth rampart surrounding the tower. The excavations were carried out in advance of landscaping and enhancement to the area and required the excavations of 26 small trenches across the area each measuring 0.50m by 0.50m with the aim of identifying the depth of archaeological survival. In this limited excavation, evidence of the rampart was identified in three trenches.

The evidence consisted of a layer of grey and brown silty clay [context 1303] in trench 13 and a similar layer in trench 15 [context 1503] within the interior of the tower. These deposits were interpreted by the excavator as the in situ remains of the earth rampart. Further evidence of the rampart was also encountered in trench 21 to the south of the tower comprising a layer of clay [context 2105]. (7)

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 (Prof.), 1909, On a recently discovered section of the Roman wall at Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5556.

<2> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1932, The S.E. Corner of the Roman Fortress. Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5709.

<3> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1948, Records of Archaeological Finds VI (Article in Journal). SCH5761.

<4> Webster, Graham, 1952, Excavations on the Legionary Defences at Chester, 1949-52 (Part i) (Article in Journal). SCH5715.

<5> Chester Archaeology, 1996, Chester 12 St John Street 1996 Excavation, R2165 (Client Report). SCH4050.

<6> LeQuesne C, 1999, Excavations at Chester: The Roman and Later Defences Part I (Monograph). SCH6156.

<7> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, No.46 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<8> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p121,124-128 (Book). SCH3556.

<9> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol 42 p94 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<10> British Archaeological Association, 1847-present, Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 5/212 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1578.

<11> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, 1981 SJ46NW18 (Index). SCH2487.