Monument record 9005 - Saxon Corn Drying Oven, 1 Abbey Green

In the south-eastern corner of the excavation represented by ECH2800, within the ruins of the Roman western centurion’s quarters, a structure interpreted as a Saxon corn drying oven was recorded (4). The remains were comprised of two parallel walls, forming the sides of a channel cut in the ground and terminating at the northern end in a wide but shallow pit with poorly defined edges. The channel was 0.3m wide and 0.35m deep, and as preserved was at least 2.5m long, and the revetting side walls were preserved to at least six courses, in addition to evidence that the upper parts of the walls were free standing (4). The pit was 2.5 – 3m across, and two sandstone slabs suggest it may have been lined. The pit and channel were filled with a complex sequence of primary deposits, containing large amounts of charcoal and grain, sealed by what may have been demolition rubble from the structure (4). The excavators concluded that the structure belonged to a class of features designated as corn-drying kilns, comprised of a flue in which a fire was lit, leading to a semi-subterranean chamber.

<1> McPeake J.C. Bulmer M & Rutter J.A, 1980, Excavations in the garden of No. 1 Abbey Green, Chester, 1975-77, McPeake J C Bulmer M & Rutter J 1980 63/14-37 (Article in Journal). SCH5924.

<2> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/287 Thacker A 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<3> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.412 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<4> Ward, S. W., 1994, Saxon Occupation within the Roman Fortress: Sites Excavated, 1971-81 (Archaeological Service Excavation & Survey Reports) (Monograph). SCH5486.