Monument record 10359 - Medieval Building with Drain and Features, Royal Infirmary (North)

Extensive archaeological remains dating from Roman to post medieval times were recorded during 1998 excavations at the Royal Infirmary, building upon earlier archaeological work carried out in 1992 (ECH3601) (1). To the southwest of where the sandstone rubble and possible external surface (CHER 10358) was in the northern part of the Royal Infirmary site were the remains of another building with a drain (this monument).

A 1.6m long section of wall, 0.5m wide and faced with sandstone blocks was recorded, in addition to a shallow, steep sided pit, cut into the natural clay, which on its western side contained the terminal of a slab-covered drain. The pit and drain appeared to be contemporary, and the pit may have acted as a sump (1). The fills of the drain and of the sediment overlying it contained medieval pottery (, 2, 3).

<1> Malcom Reid, 1998, Chester Royal Infirmary Archaeological Excavation 1998 (DRAFT) (Unpublished Report). SCH6699.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1998, Dig News (Newsletter). SCH6352.

<3> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1998, The Past Uncovered (Newsletter). SCH6019.

<4> Nenk B. Margeson S & Hurley M, 1999, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1998 (Article in Journal). SCH5641.