Monument record 8656 - Roman structural remains at St Martin's Lodge

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

Archaeological investigations at St Martin’s Lodge in 2013 identified the remains of several phases of Roman structural activity to the south west of the lodge building and close to a former palaeo-channel infilled at some point in the Roman period.

The evidence here comprised a base layer [147] of silty clay with lime mortar, charcoal flecks and occasional animal bone fragments that was subsequently sealed by an iron-panned silty sand layer [130] again containing charcoal and animal bone. Following the infilling of the palaeo-channel, a post pad [140] was laid down truncating the upper fills of the channel. Within the area marked out by the post pad there were a number of additional features including a beam slot [131], later replaced by a second beam slot [133] and a post hole [135]. Just beyond the extent of the post pad, two post holes were observed [125, 127], the second of which was later replaced with a slightly larger post hole [145]. These possibly represent a verandah to the building. A layer [117] was then recorded over these deposits, possibly representing an accumulation deposit.

In the second phase of activity, a post or fire pit [116] was encountered along with a sub-rectangular structure [123] that may have represented a cellar.

The evidence here is limited due to the nature of the archaeological investigation, however, the evidence suggests a structure built in this location following the infilling of the palaeo-channel.