Monument record 8378/2 - east-west alley between centurions house and barracks (First Cohort) at Goss Street west

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Summary

Evidence of a narrow alley between the barrack block and centurial house of the first cohort was recoded during archaeological investigations to the west of Goss Street in 1970. Legionary barrack blocks each accommodated a century of 80 men plus their officers, and were normally arranged in groups of 6 (a cohort of 480 men). Narrow streets gave access to facing pairs of barracks. The centurions' quarters were situated at the ends of the barracks, adjacent to a major road - either the perimeter road (via sagularis) or main transverse street (via principalis). The centurions' quarters were divided from those of the rank-and-file by a narrow alley. They were wider than the men's quarters but lacked a veranda. In ground plan they consisted of a corridor with rooms (including a private latrine) opening off on each side.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Archaeological investigations carried out on the east side of the present Goldsmith House (formerly the Assay Office) between 1968 and 1971 encountered the remains of a north-south aligned Roman barrack block of the First Cohort. The excavation archive has apparently since been lost however and only a few notes survive. Evidence of an alley separating the barrack block and the centurion's house was recorded (1)


<1> Wilson D., 1970, Roman Britain in 1969, p282 (Article in Journal). SCH6769.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Article in Journal: Wilson D.. 1970. Roman Britain in 1969. Britannia. 1. p282.

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

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Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 40 66 (13m by 4m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ46NW
Civil Parish CHESTER NON PARISH AREA, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County CHESTER, CHESTER HOLY TRINITY, CHESHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

Record last edited

Dec 9 2015 3:34PM