Monument record 10278 - post medieval industrial activity at Crook Street

Archaeological investigations at Crook Street in 1973-4 identified substantial evidence of post medieval industrial activity in the north east corner of the excavated area. The excavations were carried out by Tim Strickland for the Grosvenor Museum, however unfortunately the results have never been published and the site archive remains incomplete.

Industrial activity was recorded in the northern part of the site in the area later occupied by the brewery (CHER 10066) and comprised an accumulation of soil directly over the Roman remains that continued to build up until the post medieval period.

Traces of metal working waste were then encountered consisting of charcoal spreads, pits, a flue and quantities of material culture. The pottery fragments were provisionally dated to the 17th century. (CHER 10278/1).

The 17th century metal working activity was sealed by the construction of a kiln structure. Although nothing remained of the kiln superstructure, the below ground features including the kiln walls, flue and central pit was recorded (CHER 10278/2). The kiln was subsequently sealed by the wall foundations of the 19th century brewery. (1)

<1> Chester Archaeology, 1973, Excavation records for Crook Street, Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH6618.

<2> Anon, 1974, September 1974: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5742.

<3> Cherry, John, 1975, Post-Medieval Britain in 1974 (Article in Journal). SCH6074.

<4> multiple authors, 1974, Excavation Reports and Summaries Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5790.

<5> multiple authors, 1975, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5795.

<6> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1973, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6228.