Monument record 9057 - Tenth to Twelfth Century Surface (Marketplace?), Eastgate Row / Street

A series of exterior surfaces, thought to be part of a market place and dating to the late Saxon period, was recorded during the 1991 excavations at the corner of Northgate St. and Eastgate St. (1). The surfaces were comprised of water-worn pebbles, gravel, sandstone fragments, and finds, perhaps used as aggregate (tile, pottery, bone) (1). One tenth century sherd of Chester ware was incorporated, and on top of the latest surface was a twelfth century fragment of ceramic building material (either brick or tile). It was not a Row surface, as it pre-dated any of the known Row buildings and was at a level comparable to modern street level; it seemed likely to have been part of an earlier and wider version of Eastgate St. (1). The excavators also noted the possibility that it may be taken with medieval documentary references to St Peter’s ‘in foro’, i.e. in the market place, as indicating that the early medieval market was held in a much wider Eastgate St., adjacent to the Cross (1).

<1> Matthews K J, 1995, Excavations at Chester The Evolution of the Heart of the City 3-15 Eastgate Street (Monograph). SCH6151.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1990, 11-13 Eastgate Street, Chester (formerly Owen Owen): An Archaeological Evaluation, R2084 (Client Report). SCH4116.

<3> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1995, The Past Uncovered (Newsletter). SCH6010.