Monument record 8400 - Roman Barrack Block D at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre

A series of archaeological investigations carried out as part of the construction of the Grosvenor Shopping Centre between 1963 and 1965 comprised three evaluation trenches cut to the rear of No 14-22 Newgate Street along with subsequent observations of the construction work. The work was carried out by Mr Petch of the Grosvenor Museum however the excavations have never been published in full. Barrack D appears to have been aligned north-south with an east facing veranda. The evidence from Barrack D comprised a series of wall foundations for the second contubernia in trench 7. The earliest evidence comprised a single foundation trench representing the eastern most wall for the first timber building (Phase 1) dating to the late first century AD. The second phase of activity in the early second century comprised a new construction utilising stone foundations on a slightly different alignment with the structure moving some distance to the north to accommodate larger centurial quarters at its southern end. The stone walls appear to have been just a few courses high and were designed to support a timber superstructure. This phase dates to the early second century ending in around 130AD. The evidence from this phase was more extensive with three parallel walls on a north-south alignment identified suggesting an outer room 2.70m wide and an inner room 4.5m wide. Evidence of the east facing veranda surface was also encountered suggesting a space just under 3m in width. Phase 3 was marked by a period of limited activity dating to between 130 and 170AD when the barracks appear to have stood vacant. Evidence of pitting and rubbish disposal was indicated, however, the building does appear to have remained upstanding. Phase 4 comprised a restoration of the structure with evidence of refurbishment – characterised by rebuilding of the stone base walls and the insertion of new floor surfaces. Although new floor surfaces were identified in the area of Barrack D there was no evidence of alteration to the walls. This phase was dated to between 170 and 190AD. A second, more extensive, period of limited activity was then recorded between 190 and 220AD during which pitting activity was resumed and the buildings appear to have become extremely dilapidated, if not demolished. The early third century saw a revival in activity with the barracks rebuilt almost in their entirety. The evidence from Barrack D comprised three parallel walls on a north-south alignment. At this time, the walls appear to have been entirely built of stone. This phase was dated to between 210 and 230AD. Phase 7 comprised a third period of limited activity with a general lack of maintenance noted across the site. This was followed by the final phase of constructional activity dating to the fourth century when the barracks were again rebuilt. New floor surfaces were identified in Barrack D at a slightly higher level than before with the outer room now divided into two chambers by the addition of a new partition wall on an east-west alignment. Activity in this period appears to tail off dramatically after c.350AD. Legionary barrack blocks each accommodated a century of 80 men plus their officers, and were normally arranged in groups of 6 (a cohort of 480 men). Narrow streets gave access to facing pairs of barracks. The centurions' quarters were situated at the ends of the barracks, adjacent to a major road - either the perimeter road (via sagularis) or main transverse street (via principalis). The centurions' quarters were divided from those of the rank-and-file by a narrow alley. They were wider than the men's quarters but lacked a veranda. In ground plan they consisted of a corridor with rooms (including a private latrine) opening off on each side. The men's quarters consisted on 14 (later 11 or 12) units of two rooms for approximately eight men, fronted by a veranda that often contained an enclosed latrine at one end. The outer room was used to store equipment; the inner was for living and sleeping and contained a hearth. Only 10 pairs of rooms should have been needed to accommodate a century; the purpose of the spare rooms is uncertain. The first barracks were constructed using a timber frame with wattle-and-daub infilled panels. These timber barracks underwent a varying number of re-buildings in a relatively short period of time. From about AD 100, there was intermittent rebuilding in stone (perhaps with timber superstructures). However, there were also periods of abandonment. A comprehensive rebuilding was finally undertaken in the early third century. These barracks had much the same plan as their timber predecessors. A diminished number of barracks continued to be occupied into the fourth century.