Monument record 1080/5/1 - Suggested Site of Roman Fort, Lewin Street, Middlewich

<1> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 21/330-331 Frere S S (ed) 1990 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

Traces of possible Roman Fort revealed during construction work at Church Fields. Conditions very difficult as area used for dumping rubbish. A 5.5m length of curving ditch was observed E of Chapel (site G) and also further NE (site F) where it was at least 3m deep and over 2.1m wide - possibly part of Fort ditch. Internal features consist of metalling (sites A & B) which may be the principia courtyard. Internal road also reported by builders. See also source 2.

<2> Various, Written Communication to the HER, 6/51-54 Waddelove E 1989 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

<3> From 1988, The Manchester Archaeological Bulletin, Nevell M 1991 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3204.

These remains suggest a fort of c.160m x 160m or 2.56 ha.

<4> University of Manchester Archaeological Unit, 1996, Lewin Street Middlewich (Roman Salinae): An Archaeological Evaluation of a Possible Roman Fort Site., R2157 (Client Report). SCH4173.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by University Manchester Archaeological Unit in 1996 on the site of a proposed Roman fort (potential ditches and metalled surfaces identified in builders trenches, Waddelove, 1989) off Lewin Street, Middlewich. Five trial trenches were excavated over the suspected area of the fort, however no evidence of Roman occupation was encountered. The conclusion of the evaluation is that the features recorded in 1989 were geological in origin.