Monument record 10360 - Post Medieval Drain and Wall, 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, 2, 3). To the northeast of a series of medieval features and buildings (CHER 10357 – CHER 10359) was a slab-covered stone drain, running north-west to south-east in a trench where the fill holding the drain in place contained post medieval pottery (1). A line of dressed sandstone blocks, aligned north-north-west to south-south-east, was revealed to the east of this drain. The southern part of this feature had been incorporated into the drain, while stones forming the northern section had been dislodged.

It would appear that this line of stones formed part of an earlier drain, constructed with reused ashlar masonry, which was largely destroyed when it was replaced by the slab-covered drain to the west (1). To the east of this later drain, and following the same alignment, were the remains of a probable stone wall, 2.5m long. Its position in relation to the drain suggests that both were probably contemporary (1).

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 Malcom Reid, 1998, Chester Royal Infirmary Archaeological Excavation 1998 (DRAFT) (Unpublished Report).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