Monument record 10933 - Post Medieval Tanning Activity, Canal Side

<1> Gifford and Partners, 2001, Draft Report for Canalside/Witter Place, Chester, R3346 (Client Report). SCH6836.

Archaeological investigations at the Canal side redevelopment in 2001 identified evidence of 18th century tanning activity consisting of at least one pit. Evidence for tanning activity was encountered in trenches 5, 6 and 7 in the southwest corner of the site during the 2001 phase of evaluation. In trench 5 a series of pits were encountere, the earliest of which, pit [522], contained a single fragment of 16th century pottery along with quantities of animal bone and horn cores. In addition to some organic material, the pit also contained quantities of 18th century ceramic material and animal artefacts including bone and horn cores.

<2> Palaeoecology Research Services, 2001, Evaluation of biological remains from excavations at Canalside/Witter Place, Chester in 2001, R3207 (Client Report). SCH6466.

An evaluation was undertaken in 2001 of biological remains collected from the excavations at Witter Place/Canal side. These comprised a series of sediment samples, six boxes of vertebrate remains and six bags of marine molluscs. Some waste from vegetable (bark) tanning was preserved in the pit fill samples. Eggs of intestinal parasitic nematodes were found in one context, indicating a faecal component. Samples from two pits contained insect remains, indicating the potential for good preservation of remains. The molluscs are thought to represent human food waste. Vertebrate remains were dominated by cattle horn cores. Waste from craft activities such as tanning and horn-working was present. Horse and dog remains could related to skin and hide preparation. Remains from pigs, caprovid (sheep/goat) and birds were also present.

<3> Walker, W., 2013, Written Communication on sites excavated by Earthworks Archaeological Services (Written Communication). SCH7149.

In 2002, further excavation was undertaken on the Witter Place/Canal side site in advance of its re-development for residential housing. Structures and pits dating to the later seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were encountered. The large quantity of animal horn and leather off-cuts, together with the identification of pits and gullies containing animal hair and wood bark, indicate hides for leather working were being prepared on site. Due to the water-logged conditions on site, preservation of organic remains was particularly good.

<4> Oxford Archaeology North, 2007, Witter Place, Chester: Palaeoenvironmental Investigations, R4167 (Client Report). SCH8470.

As part of the archaeological investigations at Witter Place and Canal side in 2002, samples were taken from water-logged deposits and a comprehensive programme of environmental assessment and analysis undertaken. Analysis of the animal fibres confirmed the presence of calf hair and otter pelts in three of the medieval/post-medieval features, corroborating that the site was a tannery where the cattle hides would have been processed into leather. In addition, there may have been a skinner or furrier working on the site. Similarly, lipid analysis indicated the presence of large amounts of cholesterol in contexts which may be derived from the rendering of animal products, and therefore suggestive of tanning. Analysis of insect remains from samples believed to be related with the tanning industry indicate that the tanning pits were used for the disposal of domestic rubbish after they were abandoned.

<5> University of Nottingham, 2014-15?, The Animal Remains from Witter Place, Chester, R4168 (Report). SCH8472.

Research on the assemblage of animal remains recovered from excavations at Witter Place/Canal side, in 2002, concludes that the material is undoubtedly of industrial nature, resultant from both the heavy and light leather industries. This interpretation is supported by the structural, archaeobotanical and small find data, which presents evidence for vegetable (bark) tanning at the site, including tanning pits, leather off-cuts and faeces from the puering process. The assemblage of animal bone (some 6,581 specimens), dates mostly from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, and consists primarily of cattle horn-cores, along with butchered dog and horse bones, but also pigs, sheep, goat and birds. As well as providing insights into the workings of the tanning, tawing and horn-working trades, the assemblage offers information on animal types. In particular, the large quantity of dog remains from Witter Place has permitted a detailed analysis of dog size and conformation, health and bone chemistry. The isotopic analysis is the first of its kind for post medieval dogs, and enables long-term changes in animal movement and diet to be assessed during a period that witnessed an increase in pet-keeping and the growth of sentimental attitudes towards some animals.