Monument record 10277 - Medieval activity to the rear of Watergate Street

Archaeological investigations at Crook Street in 1973-4 identified substantial evidence of medieval activity to the rear of Watergate Street consisting of a thick accumulation of soil and an extensive number of pits. The excavations were carried out by Tim Strickland for the Grosvenor Museum, however unfortunately the results have never been published and the site archive remains incomplete.

A thick accumulation of soil was recorded immediately overlying the Roman remains across the majority of the site and although dating evidence was limited it appears to have formed gradually throughout the medieval and post medieval periods.

In addition to the soil layer several concentrations of pits were identified in the north west and south west corners of the site although contemporary pits were recorded across much of the site as a whole. The pits dated to the 13th-14th century and consisted of two general groups; in the north west corner they consisted primarily of rectangular pits with vertically cut sides with fills consistent with use as cess pits. In the south west corner, the pits were more irregular or circular and shallow in form with fills consistent with use as rubbish pits. The two groups of pits likely corresponded to back yard activity at 44-46 and 48-50 Watergate Street.

A small area of sandstone paving was also encountered in the south eastern part of the site possibly representing a floor surface of uncertain form and function. (1)

<1> Chester Archaeology, 1973, Excavation records for Crook Street, Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH6618.

<2> Anon, 1974, September 1974: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5742.

<3> Cherry, John, 1975, Post-Medieval Britain in 1974 (Article in Journal). SCH6074.

<4> multiple authors, 1974, Excavation Reports and Summaries Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5790.

<5> multiple authors, 1975, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5795.

<6> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1973, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6228.