Monument record 9019 - Saxon Fired Clay Features, Hunter's Walk

Identified in Trench I of the Hunter’s Walk / Princess St. excavation represented by ECH2852 (Phase I of the excavations in this area), was an area of stone rubble and fired clay that has been interpreted as a group of Saxon features of indeterminate function (4). An area of roughly laid sandstone, with a kerb of larger stones, made of re-used Roman rubble, appeared to be a kind of low platform. Set onto this were several features of clay and sand that had been hardened through fire (although it is not clear if the burning was deliberate or not). Identifiable elements included a roughly bowl-shaped mass of clay 0.3m by 0.2m and 0.18m high, with a depression in the centre, and other features that appeared similar but were less well preserved (4). Although the clay appeared to have been fired hard, there was no charcoal or other direct evidence of burning recorded. The features do not appear to have been hearths, or features associated with any larger scale industrial activity, and the excavators suggested that they may have been post sockets for an unknown structure (4).

<1> The Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1957-Present, Medieval Archaeology, Youngs S M & Clark J 1981 25/167 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2131.

<2> multiple authors, 1980/81, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, 7/43-44 Ward S 1980 (Article in Journal). SCH5806.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/288 Thacker A 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

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