Monument record 8649 - Early Roman road and ditch at St Martin's Lodge

Evidence of an early Roman road with associated roadside ditch was encountered during archaeological investigations at St Martin's Lodge in 2013. Located in the canabae legionis, this area is currently poorly understood with limited archaeological remains discovered from a small number of sites. The evidence here suggests and early Roman phase of activity dating to the late first to early second century AD that was eventually replaced on a different alignment in the mid second century AD.

The evidence comprised an early turf horizon [231] representing the earliest deposit overlain by a gravel surface [257] interpreted as a road. The road was estimated to be approximately 5m in width and oriented on a north west to south east alignment. A ditch [255] was encountered to the south west of the road with at least two fills. The road and ditch were subsequently sealed by a gravel layer [250] possibly representing a base layer for the second century road surface (CHER 8652).

<1> Archaeological Research Services Ltd, 2013, St Martin's Lodge, Chester, Cheshire Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief, R3503 (Client Report). SCH7203.