Monument record 10642 - Subterranean Cavity, St Werburgh Street

The presence of some type of below-ground cavity, strongly believed to be a former stone quarry by local archaeologists (2), is strongly indicated by the results of excavations in St Werburgh Street in 2012 (1). Known locally as the 'Werburgh Street Dip', this feature is responsible for the sinking of the road surfaces at this location. While the excavation did not reveal the exact edge of this feature, it is assumed to be 'extensive and deep', and fill deposits were identified. Also, test pits established where the bedrock had not been affected, and indicate where the void is not present (2).

This complex sequence of deposits (CHER 10643) represent tipping of material, and contained sixteenth to seventeenth century finds (1). The date of the cavity, however, is clearly unknown. Ward's research suggests that a large amount of local stone would have been needed in the early sixteenth century when the abbey was undertaking a programme of building work, and that the feature was a quarry (1).

Lies in an area of land that was orginally within the Abbey Precinct. Appears to be a manmade feautre which lay in open ground within the abbey precint. Most likely purpose for such a deep hole dug into rock is that it was a quarry providing stone for building work at the adjacent abbey. Overall dimension of the quarry not established. Bore holes established the depth exceeds 10m. 16th and 17th century Church Wardens accounts record fines for citizens disposing of refuse in the Churchyard. Accounts also record paving and levelling the churchyard. Sparse evidence of pottery sherds from the fill indicate the quarry was infilled during the later 16th century which does correspond with the chirchwardens accounts. (3)

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2012, 'The Dip' at St Werburgh Street, Chester, R3297 (Client Report). SCH6738.

<2> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, M Morris (April 2013) (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<3> Ward Simon, 2022, Chester Cathedral - Some notes on the origins, extent and implications of the so-called St Werburgh Street Dip (Unpublished Report). SCH9311.