Monument record 10220 - post medieval pits at St Michael's Row

Archaeological investigations for a new extension to Brown’s Department store, St Michael’s Row (now Debenhams) in 1926 identified several post medieval pits primarily used as cess pits. Two examples were highlighted by the excavator; in shaft 7 a circular pit cut through the Roman bath building produced a large quantity of 17th and 18th century pottery. A second example in shaft 22 produced a quantity of salt glazed ware including plates, dishes and mugs from the period 1760-1780.

From the site generally came 17th and 18th century glass bottles, a bronze finger ring, five counters made from fragments of pottery belonging to late 18th century vessels, 17th and 18th century tobacco pipes & 2 small pieces of woollen cloth forming the lining to a 14th century shoe.

<1> Newstead, Robert (Prof.), 1926, Records of Archaeological Finds at Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5955.

<2> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Rutter J A 1984 67/57 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.