Monument record 6938 - Undated Human Remains (Pre-Roman), 6 Chester Road

<1> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1900, Human Remains in the Boulder Clay at Saltney, 29/26-29 (Article in Journal). SCH6534.

An articulated human skeleton was found in association with bones of Bos longifrons (long headed cattle) at a depth of 1.6m below the surface on the pebble bed containing marine shells. Found in 1899 by workmen digging clay for a nearby Brickworks at the same time as finding Roman pottery at this location (CHER8310/8 - not in stratigraphic association).

The stratigraphy of the site comprised a layer of water worn pebbles and small boulders at a depth of approximately 0.45m below the present ground surface from which quantities of Roman material was recovered. Below this was a substantial layer of clay extending to the base of the extraction pit containing marine shells of glacial origin as well as the human and animal bones themselves.

Discovered by workmen and recorded by Newstead, the remains and associated finds, which included Bos sp. Remains, were summarised as follows:

'There is no evidence to prove that the human remains had been artificially buried, i.e. by human agency. The stratum of pebbles and the clay above the skull showed no trace of disturbance, the latter being one solid homogeneous mass; and moreover, as has already been pointed out, the skull was lying face downwards. …it appears that the deposit of the skeleton took place simultaneously with the remains of the ox, the land shells, and the charcoal; that it was probably brought about by the falling of the clay cliff or embankment. …|What then is the age of the human remains? From all the evidence I think they cannot possibly be later than the Roman period, and it is highly probable they are of late Neolithic origin'

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ36SE11/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

… at a depth of 5'3" a human skeleton was discovered in association, with Bos longifrons, on the pebble bed containing marine shells.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/231 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.378 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<5> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1935, Roman Chester: the Extra-Mural Settlement at Saltney (Article in Journal). SCH6473.

"The discovery of Roman remians at Saltney, however, dates back to the year 1899, when a few fragments of potterty were found in close association with a human skeleton and a skull of the long faced ox (Bos longiforns); these were found buried near the edge of the shallow cliffs of boulder clay, which in the remote past, had formed a natural barrier against the tidal actions of the sea."

<6> Curtis-Summers, Shirley, 2016, Osteological Analysis of Human Remains from Saltney, Chester (Report). SCH9644.

Osteological analysis on a human skeleton that was recovered from archaeological excavations at St Marks Road, Saltney, Chester, UK. These excavations were carried out in 1899 and pottery that was found in close association with the skeleton is suggested to be from the Roman period (Newstead 1935). The aims and objectives of the osteological analysis were to ascertain the sex, age-at-death, stature and any markers of disease and trauma on the skeleton, following current osteological techniques and protocols. A number of interesting pathological markers were discovered on the skeleton, including joint disease, a Schmorl’s node and a congenital abnormality. Dental calculus, an abscess and severe tooth wear was also observed.