Monument record 10186 - Post medieval industrial activity at Foregate Street

Archaeological investigations in 1991 and 1992 at 34-36 Foregate Street identified a complex series of deposits from the medieval to post medieval periods. The investigations involved three evaluation trenches to the rear of 34 Foregate Street in 1991 while in 1992 a larger trench was excavated across the front of both plots with another larger trench to the rear of No 36 Foregate Street.

Excavations at 36 Foregate Street identified four broad phases of activity beginning with traces of a hearth and a cellar feature in the medieval period (CHER 10185) followed by substantial industrial activity in the post medieval period from the 15th-16th century onwards (CHER 10186).

Archaeological investigations close to the street frontage of 36 Foregate Street in 1992 identified a substantial amount of features of a broadly post medieval date in the eastern part of trench 5 and in trench 6 to the rear of the plot, the evidence indicates industrial activity on the site. The evidence consists of two pits containing 17th-18th century pottery in trench 5 and a complex series of walls, hearths and pits in trench 6 to the rear of the plot. Material recovered from trench 6 dates from the 15th/16th century onwards and includes industrial waste and slag. (2)

Nenk B. Margeson S & Hurley M, 1993, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1992 (Article in Journal). SCH5638.

Ponsford, Michael, 1993, Post-Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1992 (Article in Journal). SCH6068.

<1> Chester Archaeology, 1991, An Evaluation Excavation at 32-36 Foregate Street, Chester, September 1991, R2092 (Client Report). SCH4108.

<2> Reid M.L., 2011, An Archaeological Excavation at 32-36 Foregate Street, Chester (Client Report). SCH6280.