Monument record 10952 - 18th century tanning activity at Russell Street

Archaeological investigations between Russell Street and City Road, on the site of the former Rylands Garage between 2003 and 2005 identified evidence of post medieval features.

The 2003 evaluation recorded evidence of a brick structure [23] in trench 6 within the former garage. Although the evidence was limited, the backfill of the brick structure contained 18th century material. (1)

The subsequent excavation carried out between 2004 and 2005 identified further activity of a late 17th to late 18th century date. The evidence from trench 1 comprised an 18th century cultivation layer [104] cut by several a brick drain [142]. A layer covering the brick features was also recorded [141] containing quantities of tanning waste, bone, ceramics and one coin. (2)

<1> Gifford and Partners, 2003, Former Ryland's Garage, City Road, Chester. Report on archaeological evaluation, R3347 (Client Report). SCH6837.

<2> Gifford and Partners, 2005, An archaeological excavation at the former Rylands Garage, City Road, Chester, R2746 (Client Report). SCH4864.

<3> Hayes, L, 2005, Excavation at the former Rylands garage, City Road, Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5828.