Monument record 10400 - Medieval stone robbing at Crook Street east

Archaeological investigations to the east of Crook Street in 1990 identified several phases of medieval activity. The site was located some 40m to the rear of 32-36 Watergate Street on a site formerly occupied by an early 20th century warehouse, evidence was confined to the south east corner of the site where modern disturbance was minimal.

The evidence for activity in the medieval period consisted of an early phase of site clearance and preparation including levelling of the ground surface to create a house platform for a timber framed structure (CHER 10173/1. A later phase of activity was identified with the remodelling of the timber building on a similar alignment with perhaps the addition of a drain (CHER 10173/2). During this phase, stone robbing of the earlier Roman structures also occurred (CHER 10400). In addition, a wall of probable medieval origin was also identified, however its relationship to the other evidence from the site was not established (CHER 10401) (3). It was suggested by the excavator that the evidence related to medieval outbuildings connected to the properties on the Watergate Street frontage.

An area of significant disturbance attributed to the medieval period was also identified in the centre of the site probably the result of medieval stone robbing of earlier features, likely the Roman centurion’s house (CHER 8545). In addition to the stone robbing, a number of ashlar blocks with evidence of burning were also recovered from this central disturbance.

<1> Nenk B. Margeson S & Hurley M, 1991, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1990 (Article in Journal). SCH5633.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 2000, Chester Northgate Development Site; archaeological audit., R2701 (Client Report). SCH4810.

<3> Chester Archaeology, 1990, Excavation records for Crook Street, Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH6616.