Monument record 8691 - Excavated Roman Well, The Old Bishop's Palace

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2019, The Old Palace, The Groves, Chester, Cheshire: An Archaeological Watching Brief, R4441 (Client Report). SCH8887.

A probable rock-cut well was recorded (Area C, Feature F7) during a watching brief, in 2018-2019, monitoring groundworks associated with the extension and refurbishment of the Old Bishop's Palace. The feature, which was cut vertically into the red sandstone bedrock, was almost circular and measured 1.0m in diameter. Pottery and ceramic building material recovered from the uppermost deposits of its fill dated to the early Roman period (late 1st- to early 2nd century). The deposits in the well were excavated to a depth of circa 1m, but were not excavated fully and the feature was preserved in situ.

The feature lies immediately to the east of the edge of a post medieval stone quarry also recorded during the watching brief (see CHER 11510). It is unlikely the well would have existed in isolation and it could be that the quarry has removed other features. Previous investigations in the area have recorded foundations of potential structures of Roman date (see CHER 8589, 8677, 8678) and it is possible that the well was associated with these. The 2018-2019 watching brief also recorded a stone-lined and capped drain (CHER 8692) also of probable Roman date and potentially related to the other Roman remains recorded.