Monument record 179/0/39 - Archaeological Deposits observed under High Street, Nantwich

A number of service trenches were dug in the High Street, centring on the given grid reference. Where the stratigraphy survived, it was consistent. Below the modern road and its makeup was a layer of heavy oak planks placed edge to edge across the road, suggesting an earlier road surface. This sealed a rich organic layer with bone, leather, nuts and twigs in numbers. This was seen to overlay cobbling on the sand natural. There was also the suggestion of a corduroy road at this level. Natural was within 1.3m of the surface outside the National Westminster Bank and fell away in either direction (1). An earlier discovery of the same road was made in 1954 during road building between Pillory Street and Oat Market. Found at depths between 21 and 36 ins below surface. Made of oak, rough hewn square in section and at right angles to kerb. Short cross penny of Henry III minted by Slger, London found in walk (2).

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 10/64-8 Hutchings P 1985 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<2> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, 1954 41/92 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.