Monument record 8134 - Possible Hypocaust and Roman Finds, Gamul House

What may have been part of a bath suite (or house) of the Mansio was found in 1630: 'in Mr Recorder Whitby's house in Bridge St., in digging for a water course, was found a vault wherein were many Roman tiles'. These tiles are described as having been one foot square and stamped. 'The place wherein they were found was a kind of stove or hothouse' (1, 2).

The structures have since been interpreted as a hypocaust and the discovery of stamped legionary tiles with the Deciana suffix indicates repair in mid-third century. This date agrees with the major period of use of the Mansio. The use of legionary stamped tiles confirms that the building was official (4).

<1> Unknown, Harleian MSS No.2, 014, Fo.31, No.2,0l4,Fo.31 (Book). SCH1334.

<2> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, /117-118 (Book). SCH2878.

<3> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, No.91 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/167 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Strickland T.J & Davey, P.J., 1978, New evidence for Roman Chester: material from the Chester Conference November 1977, /35 (Book). SCH2242.