Monument record 9038 - Possible Post-Roman Timber Structure and Occupation, King's Mews, St Martin's Way

During the installation of a sewer system on the land to the rear of the King’s Mews, St Martin’s Way, evidence of an undated timber structure that, based on its stratigraphic position, might have been Saxon in date, was recorded (1). Identified in Trench 2 (ECH4718), overlying a Roman sandstone road surface and piercing the capping stones of a disused Roman drain were two post holes. In the other evaluation trenches excavated at this time, a clear demolition layer of Roman building material was identified, and the excavators suggest that these post holes follow the end of Roman activity in this area (but note that a demolition layer does not appear to have been present in Trench 2): ‘...at an interesting stratigraphic level, and with no associated finds, this tantalising but clear evidence suggests the presence of a timber structure of uncertain date and function; these features are perhaps candidates for sub-Roman / Dark Age activity’ (1).

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2010, Installation of a New Sewer System on King's Mews, St. Martin's Way, Chester: Watching Brief and Rapid Archaeological Excavation, R3032 (Client Report). SCH5396.

<2> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 2006, The Past Uncovered (Newsletter). SCH6041.