Monument record 9002 - Saxon Building and Hearths (Possible Blacksmith), Destruction Layer, 1 Abbey Green

Overlying the former via sagularis, the extensive remains of a Saxon timber structure were recorded, in addition to large amounts of charcoal and burnt daub suggesting the building had burnt down (4). The remains covered an area approximately 8m north – south and 7 m east – west. Up to 19 post holes were recorded, the southernmost forming an east – west line, set regularly 1.6m apart and were 0.5m deep (4). One of these had the charred remains of a post still in situ. Most of the post holes to the north of this line were smaller and were less regularly distributed. The surfaces within this area were largely hard packed earth, but with some areas of broken sandstone surfacing. One feature is particularly noteworthy, an oval clay-lined pit with a raised lip that might have been a hearth area (4). The destruction layer overlying the building contained large amounts of ash, charcoal and burnt daub. To the north of this building evidence were a series of features interpreted as hearths, largely shallow cuts into the underlying sediment, oval, and containing evidence of burning (4). These features suggest activities associated with metalworking, and, while large amounts of industrial waste were not recovered, a small amount of iron slag was present (4). A substantial drain was observed just to the east of these hearths, however its stratigraphic relationship with these features was unclear (4).

<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.

<5> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1978, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6261.