Monument record 882/1 - Eaton Villa

Excavations in 1980-82 uncovered a Roman winged corridor villa, comprising a main range (8.2m x wide 19.3m long), fronted on the north eastern side by a 2.5m wide portico, with wings (4m wide) at either end projecting out for at least 6m beyond the front wall of the main range. The walls were constructed of sandstone & limestone blocks & roofing materials included clay tiles, sandstone shingles & slates (1).

Phase 1 comprises 2 postholes belonging to a structure laid out on a different alignment from later building. This structure may have been of a temporary nature only.

Phase 2 comprises a large timber building, possibly of aisled plan, c.9m x 22m, with a stone hearth. This structure was probably destroyed by fire. Drainage ditches to the north and west were associated with large pits, which were possibly the emplacements for wooden tanks. This system was designed to convey water from the spring on the hillside to the north west. It is suggested that this structure had a life of c. 30 years.

Phase 3 comprises a single storied stone winged, corridor building 26m x 14m. The southern wing formed a bath suite. The main range contained 5 rooms, decorated with wall plaster and opus signinum or mortared pebble floors. One room had a hypocaust and another a hearth. The northern wing contained 3 rooms, 2 being heated. A colonnade ran along the eastern frontage, between the 2 projecting wings. This building was probably built c. AD 170-200

Phase 4 comprises reconstruction of the villa, some hypocausts were removed but the southern wing still remained a bath suite. The colonnade was converted into rooms, with opus signinum floors and painted wall plaster. A second storey was probably added to the main range and possible corn-drying kilns were located in two rooms. Possibly late C3rd, early C4th (2).

The site is now conserved and displayed. Some stone column bases and drainage troughs have been imported from the Hunter Street excavations in Chester (7).

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, No.8 p.49-52 Mason D J P 1982 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<2> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, No.9 p.67-73 Mason D J P 1983 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<3> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, vol.12 p.333 Grew F O 1981 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<4> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, vol.13 p.353-4 Rankov N B 1982 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ56SE23 1987 (Index). SCH2487.

<6> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/210-1 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<7> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner R C 1988 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<8> Various, Aerial photographs, Rushton 6 Williams S R 1981 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.