Monument record 8077 - Roman remains at the Infirmary Field

Investigations in the Infirmary Field identified a section of a stone wall first in 1951 when Graham Webster carried out limited excavations and again in 1956 when levelling of the area for a new out-patient wing uncovered the entire length of the south wall of a substantial Roman building, interpreted as a possible military storehouse (1).

During subsequent investigations by F H Thompson recorded a significant number of stone foundations comprising a roughly square building measuring 12.2m by 15.25m with internal walls demarcating six rooms and an un-divided west bay. The excavated foundations appeared to be of a rough construction sandstone indicating they were stone sills for a timber structure. The finds associated with the foundations indicate a period of use between 90 to 125 AD. A palisade trench was also identified a short distance north of the building and has been interpreted as a fence or boundary line. Pottery suggests occupation from AD 90-125. Finds-early Holt forms, small amount of samian, window glass, bottle glass, glass beads & a fragment of an antefix (4).

<1> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1911-Present, Journal of Roman Studies, Taylor M V & Wright R P 1952 42/94 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1519.

<2> Cheshire Rural Community Council, 1951-1960, The Cheshire Historian, 2/33 Webster G 1952 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3102.

<3> Cheshire Rural Community Council, 1951-1960, The Cheshire Historian, 3/24 Webster G 1953 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3102.

<4> Thompson F.H, 1962, Infirmary Field Excavations, 1957 (Article in Journal). SCH5868.

<5> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/178 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<6> Mason, D. J. P., 1987, Chester: the Canabae Legionis (Article in Journal). SCH5623.

<7> Anon, 1913, Miscellanea (Article in Journal). SCH5650.