Monument record 8051/1 - Roman structural evidence at Grey Friars House

<1> multiple authors, 1983, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, p52 (Article in Journal). SCH5810.

Minor rescue excavation at Grey Friars House in 1983, prior to construction of extension, revealed part of a substantial Roman building

<2> Ward, S. W., 2012, Greyfriar's House, 1983 (Article in Monograph). SCH6551.

The excavated remains suggested at least one large room measuring 8.75m north-south and 6.5m east-west. The room had a substantial, well preserved mortar floor with opus signinum (crushed tile fragments) against the walls. Quantities of wall plaster were also recovered. No evidence of subdivision of the room was encountered, however, it would appear that a small hypocaust was inserted at some later date comprising a series of pilae across an area approximately 3.5m square resting on the natural clay. A series of channels employed as air ducts led from the hypocaust to another part of the structure. The furnace may have lain in the northern half of the building which could not be examined and only slight traces of the furnace and its flue system were encountered.

Evidence of further rooms to the west were also encountered indicating at least two rooms both with mortar floors and ops signinum close to the walls. No further evidence of these structures could be determined, however.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p176 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Ward, S. W., 2012, Blackfriars House, 1986 (Article in Monograph). SCH6582.

Further excavations to the south in 1986 (at the adjacent Black Friars House) recorded more evidence of a stone structure comprising several robbed out foundation trenches.