Monument record 8416 - Roman 'military hiatus' layer at Princess Street Phase 2a (insula 21)

Archaeological investigations between 1978 and 1982 as part of the Hunter Street/Princess Street excavations uncovered evidence of widespread dumping of metal working waste. Despite the later insertion of a track across the site and the construction of a timber framed building in the south, dumping of metal working waste continued throughout the second century, on occasion infringing on the track surface. A general period of abandonment or change of use appears to have affected the entire fortress of Chester in the second century, it is represented in the archaeological record in a number of ways including an increase in refuse pitting and spreads of domestic and organic waste (often described as ‘dark earth’ or ‘black rubbish’ layers) but also with a general dereliction of structures through a lack of repair and maintenance. Although the evidence clearly indicates activity throughout the period, it is not characteristic of military activity and it has been suggested that it represents a period when the 20th legion was largely based in the north of England. The term mid second century military hiatus period is generally used for this period in order to differentiate it from the later period of ‘dark earth’ in the late/post Roman to Saxon period. In the area of the legionary quarters, evidence for abandonment has been recorded during excavations at Northgate Brewery and Abbey Green in the northern part of the fortress as well as at St Martin’s Fields and the area of the First Cohort (Crook Street) to the west of the Headquarters building from excavations at Eastgate Street to the east, and at the Grosvenor Centre to the east of the Fortress baths. Further evidence of limited activity has been recorded at ‘public’ structures within the fortress at the Baths on Bridge Street, the Headquarters, the large masonry building, the Elliptical building and adjacent baths site, on Hunter Street and at the structures in insula 21 (Princess Street).