Monument record 8321/2 - Column bases recorded in Crook Street

A number of column bases were recorded during construction work in 1848. The work involved the excavation of drains across Crook Street during which several column bases were recorded by the workers, however the site was not examined in any detail. (2)

The area to the west of the Elliptical building, known as insula 18, is believed to have been devoted to workshops based on abundant deposits of slag and other industrial waste. The plan conjectured from slight evidence was of large sheds surrounding a central court. The south range was 12m wide and the court behind it 25.5m; the north range at 23m may have had some form of basilican layout. The insula as a whole measured 60m north-south x c.70m east-west. (5)

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p129 (Book). SCH2878.

<2> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol 55 p204 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p144-45 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, No 12 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<5> Mason, D. J. P., 2001, Roman Chester: City of the Eagles, p140 (Book). SCH6164.