Monument record 8677 - Excavated Roman Wall/Foundation, The Old Palace

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2017, Proposed Alterations at The Old Palace, The Groves, Chester: An Archaeological Evaluation, R4126 (Client Report). SCH8401.

In May 2017 an archaeological evaluation recorded intact deposits of Roman date (trench 3) at The Old Palace, Chester. Trench 3 measured 1.6m by 8.0m, had a north-east/south-west alignment, and was positioned along the north side of the lower car parking terrace on the south side of the Old Palace. A deposit of dark brown sand was encountered; it contained frequent small fragments of red sandstone and sherds of ceramic building material and pottery of Roman date. Sealed beneath this deposit were the remains of a sandstone masonry wall, aligned north-east/south-west, at a depth of circa 1.5m below ground level. The wall or foundation was constructed from roughly-squared blocks of red sandstone measuring between 0.30m to 0.50m wide. At least two courses of masonry survived in situ along the circa 4.0m lengh of wall exposed. A potential associated surface, consisting of small fragments of red sandstone, was also identified running along the north side of the wall. A potential robber trench containing further sandstone blocks, at a depth of circa 0.80m, was also recorded.