Monument record 8211/4 - Evidence of the Roman south Ditch at 23-25 Whitefriars

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2016, Archaeological Monitoring and Rapid Recording during excavation of Geotechnical Pits: Extension to the Rear of White Friars, Chester, R3884 (Client Report). SCH8079.

Archaeological watching brief during the excavation of geotechnical trial pits at nos. 23–25 White Friars, Chester.

Three of the four trial pits were excavated within the location of a proposed extension to the rear of the property, replacing recently-demolished earlier extensions, the fourth was located within an area of proposed landscaping.

Archaeologically, the results of the pre-development geotechnical trial pits demonstrated that deep soil deposits survive to the rear of the properties. These soils may reflect fill deposits contained within the former defensive ditch that skirted the south wall to the Roman legionary fortress. No evidence for the earthen defensive bank or later masonry wall to the legionary fortress was encountered. It can be concluded therefore that any surviving remains relating to the Roman legionary fortress wall lie farther to the north, perhaps beneath the existing buildings that currently front the south side of White Friars.