Monument record 10129 - Medieval features at 37-41 Eastgate Street

A number of medieval pits and other features were recorded during archaeological investigations to the rear of 37-41 Eastgate Street (formerly Woolworth’s) in 1959. The evidence comprised walls in stanchion holes 7, 10 and 12, numerous pits including examples in trench 3, Site A and stanchion hole 9 and a probable tan pit in trench 3.

The walls were coursed but un-mortared and in at least one case (stanchion 10) the evidence was believed to represent a cess pit. A substantial pit in Site A was also interpreted as a rubbish pit containing fragments of medieval stonework and roof tile.

The probable tan pit recorded in trench 3 overlay an earlier pit and consisted of a timber lined rectangular pit reminiscent in design to those discovered at Foregate Street (CHER 10116 & 10117) with a series of close set vertical planks held in place with a timber framework. Material recovered from the fill of the pit included fragments of leather. (1)

<1> Thompson F.H, 1967, Excavations on the site of Woolworth's, Chester, 1959 (Article in Journal). SCH5885.

<2> The Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1957-Present, Medieval Archaeology, Wilson D M & Hurst D G 1960 4/148 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2131.

<3> Wilson D & Hurst J, 1960, Medieval Britain in 1959 (Article in Journal). SCH5611.