Monument record 8556 - Pre Flavian Roman Fortress

It has been suggested that an early Roman fort was built at Chester prior to the Flavian fortress in 79AD. The evidence for this fortress is limited to a small number of sites at Goss Street, Abbey Green and the Elliptical Building site. However, the evidence from Goss Street and Abbey Green have since been re-examined and it has been suggested that they date to the construction of the Flavian fortress and not an earlier design. (2)

The primary evidence for a pre Flavian fortress therefore rests with the first century evidence from the Elliptical site. The evidence here comprised a substantial ditch on an east west alignment 15.25m in length, 4m wide and 1.20m in depth predating the Elliptical Building. The profile of the ditch was steep sided with a flat bottom. Its form and dimensions have been interpreted as part of a possible defensive earthwork used by Roman marching camps and temporary forts. To the north of ditch a few isolated stake holes were also noted. (1)

To the south west of the ditch a second early Roman feature comprised the remains of a substantial timber structure the evidence for which was a sill beam 0.38m wide on a north-west to south-east alignment with a series of post pits on a parallel alignment nearby. While this evidence suggests at least one phase of pre Flavian fortification, it is not clear to what period they belong or their original extent. (1)

<1> Mason, D. J. P., 2000, Excavations at Chester: The Elliptical building: An image of the Roman world? (Monograph). SCH6158.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1992, Excavations in the garden of No 1 Abbey Green: Roman Barracks (Client Report). SCH6809.