Monument record 8708 - Remains of Roman Sandstone Wall, 10 Abbey Square

<1> Chapel Archaeology CIC, 2020, Archaeological Watching Brief Groundworks undertaken at 10–11 Abbey Square and 3–6 Abbey Green, Chester, R4495 (Client Report). SCH8986.

A fragment of Roman wall was recorded to the rear of No. 10 Abbey Square during an archaeological watching brief in 2019–2020. The northern edge of No 10 saw the reconstruction of a 17th century brick wall on an existing foundation alignment. At the agreed depth, a small section of finely-cut sandstone blocks (2 courses) were present, aligned east-west, with evidence of painted wall-plaster on its southern face. Two fragments of Roman pottery were recovered. The wall levelled in at 26.87m AOD (top), 26.24m AOD (bottom). Fragments of Roman tile and a few pottery sherds were also recovered from the south side of the wall. Although somewhat ephemeral, the evidence suggests that Roman structures, although heavily truncated and robbed-out, did stand on the site but at a significant level below the completed groundworks. The wall was left intact as part of a new foundation. (1)