Monument record 10652 - Two Eighteenth Century Surfaces, Cathedral Grounds

Recent archaeological investigations to the south of Chester Cathedral recorded a series of metalled surfaces and pathways, to the south of the Cathedral adjacent to St Werburgh St. (2). A total of four surfaces were identified during the evaluation, one of which was a metalled surface within Trench 2a and another in Trench 2c (this monument, the other surfaces are CHER 10653 and CHER 10654) (1, 2).

Although this surface was not associated with any datable artefacts, it is possible that it dates to the late eighteenth century, forming part of the 'Hall’ plotted on Hunter's 1789 map of Chester (2). In Trench 2c, pre-dating a nineteenth century metalled surface (CHER 10653) was an earlier lime-mortar surface, which was thought to date to the eighteenth century; it is possible that this surface is also associated with the 'Hall' deposited on Hunter's 1789 map (2).

<1> Oxford Archaeology North, 2011, Chester Cathedral Quarter, Chester. Revised Evaluation Report (Client Report). SCH6658.

<2> Oxford Archaeology North, 2010, The archaeological investigation of the south side of Chester Cathedral (Unpublished Report). SCH6536.