Monument record 10454 - 16th century house at Lower Bridge Street

Archaeological investigations carried out in two phases to the rear of 49-51 Lower Bridge Street in 1990 identified a complex series of phases from the Roman through to the post medieval period. Unfortunately the excavations remain unpublished and information is limited, the phased activity at the site was produced by subsequent examination of the primary archive.

The results of an initial evaluation provided only limited evidence of post medieval activity, however, subsequent excavation identified the remains of a house built in the late 16th century and remained in situ until the 19th century. A 17th century cellar recorded nearby may also relate to this structure (3)

The cellar had been back filled with quantities of burn debris, probably from the superstructure consisting of tear shaped roof slates, stamped and glazed floor tiles, glazed ceramic roof tiles and large quantities of pottery dating to the mid 17th century. A small area of in situ tiled flooring also survived at the top of the cellar steps. (4)

<1> Chester City Council, 1990, 49-51 Lower Bridge Street, Chester (Maison Romano Hotel): an Archaeological Evaluation, r2085 (Client Report). SCH6203.

<2> Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd, 2000, St Olave Street, Chester: Archaeological desk top study and evaluation excavations, r3118 (Client Report). SCH6186.

<3> Chester Archaeology, Various, Chester Archaeology Site Notes: Various, ECH5367 (Written Communication). SCH6781.

<4> Ponsford, Michael, 1992, Post-Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1991 (Article in Journal). SCH6067.