Monument record 8591 - Roman timber building at Tower Wharf

<1> SLR Consulting Ltd, 2007, Tower Wharf Mitigation Strategy and Method Statement 2007, R3395 (Client Report). SCH6972.

Archaeological investigations at Tower Wharf in 2005 identified the remains of a possible Roman timber building.

The evidence was recorded in trench 4 of the investigations to the rear of property on Raymond Street and comprised a series of cut features including a sill beam slot and several post holes. These features appeared contemporary with a cultivation soil of a similar date. Large quantities of Roman pottery includng samian wares and metalwork were also recovered from the trench.

The beam slot and post holes were interpreted by the excavators as a possible timber building in a rural setting, but of some importance to warrant a tiled roof.

<2> SLR Consulting Ltd, 2013, Tower Wharf, Chester: Archaeological mitigation report Phase 1 Infrastructure Works. Roman roadside occupation to Civil War fortification, R3444 (Client Report). SCH7070.

Further archaeological evidence for a timber building was encountered during subsequent excavations at Tower Wharf in 2007 to 2008. The evidence comprised a terraced platform [2200] approximately 3.8m x 3.2m with an associated posthole [2203]. Cutting this platform was a single linear cut [2168] approximately 3m in length interpreted as a timber beam slot on a north-south alignment for a building. A series of shallow spreads to the west of the beam slot were interpreted as trample or internal floor layers associated with the building.

To the east of the platform a second linear cut [2121] was also identified running parallel to the platform and interpreted as an eaves drip gully for the building.