Monument record 6981 - pre Roman cultivation soils at Abbey Green

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Summary

Excavations at the Abbey Green site 1975-1977 revealed a series of striations in the sandstone bedrock in different parts of the site. These indicate pre-Roman cultivation of the area. Several fragments of Iron Age pottery and a number of flint artefacts found in the second of the Roman fortress ramparts to have been constructed on this site are likely to have been derived from somewhere in the vicinity during fortress construction.

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Full Description

Excavations at the Abbey Green site 1975-1977 revealed a series of striations in the sandstone bedrock in different parts of the site. (1)

Although originally interpreted as evidence of ard marks for pre Roman cultivation (1) it has since been suggested that they represent cut marks rather than plough marks. Strickland argues that they appear to form often short, shallow cuts made in a rock surface similar to point work and may indicate site preparation in the early Roman period.(4)


<1> McPeake J.C. Bulmer M & Rutter J.A, 1980, Excavations in the garden of No. 1 Abbey Green, Chester, 1975-77 (Article in Journal). SCH5924.

<2> multiple authors, 1977, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, p58-60 (Article in Journal). SCH5800.

<3> multiple authors, 1978/79, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed, p18-19 (Article in Journal). SCH5801.

<4> Chester Archaeology, 1975-78, Excavations in the garden of No 1 Abbey Green (Unpublished Report). SCH6808.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Article in Journal: McPeake J.C. Bulmer M & Rutter J.A. 1980. Excavations in the garden of No. 1 Abbey Green, Chester, 1975-77. Journal of the Chester Archaeological and Historic Society. 63.
  • <2> Article in Journal: multiple authors. 1977. Excavation Reports and Sites Observed. Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin. No 5. p58-60.
  • <3> Article in Journal: multiple authors. 1978/79. Excavation Reports and Sites Observed. Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin. No 6. p18-19.
  • <4> Unpublished Report: Chester Archaeology. 1975-78. Excavations in the garden of No 1 Abbey Green.

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Location

Grid reference SJ 404 666 (point) 8 Figure Ref
Map sheet SJ46NW
Civil Parish CHESTER NON PARISH AREA, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County CHESTER, CHESTER HOLY TRINITY, CHESHIRE

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Record last edited

Jul 4 2024 1:38PM