Monument record 8070/2 - Roman stone building at Watergate House

Archaeological investigations in and around Watergate House have recorded evidence of Roman structural remains. A stone structure was built on the site in the second century following an earlier timber phase of construction.

In late 1932, road widening at the junction of Watergate Road and Nun’s Road recorded evidence not only of the former Roman road (CHER 8069) but also of the north west angle of a Roman building to the south of the road, the first evidence of a structure here (3). The foundations comprised substantial glacial boulders set into very hard mortar requiring sledgehammers to remove it. One datable sherd was recovered in context with the foundations indicating a late Flavian date (69-96 AD). It appears this structure was demolished by the late second century. (1)

Further investigations in 1959 recorded further evidence of this stone structure identifying at least two phases of alteration. The original stone structure comprised a single space some 6m wide and 39m long built in the early second century and perhaps used as a stables or warehouse. In the mid second century a series of rooms were added to the north of the original structure infilling the space between it and the Roman road (CHER: 8069). These rooms overlay the earlier stone drain (CHER: 8075) but did not appear to relate to it in any way. Further evidence of these rooms may have been encountered in the 1949 investigations when a quantity of masonry was recorded overlying the drain. The building then appears to have been demolished in the late second century when a rubbish dump was recorded overlying parts of it and containing some building material (2).

<1> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1948, Records of Archaeological Finds VI, p109-18 (Article in Journal). SCH5761.

<2> Kelly D.B, 1965, Excavations at Watergate House, Chester, 1959 (Article in Journal). SCH5878.

<3> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Vol23 p195-6 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p177 (Book). SCH3556.