Monument record 1080/0/6 - Roman Middlewich - Fields 76, 77 & 79

Watkin Fields 76, 77 & 79: Previously all one field. Prior to 1820, Mr Harrison found a large cremation urn of local red ware, 12.5 inches high and 6 inches in diameter. MR Vawdrey, who carried out several excavations prior to 1866, later occupied the house in field 77. In the northern part of the field (c. SJ70676636) was a layer of gravel with traces of charcoal, bones and stones, possibly the line of a road. The course of the road runs NE to SW across the field (1). This may be the junction of the branch road from Whichurch with King Street (2). In the middle of field 77 was a possible cremation. Part of a skull, shinbone and the blackened fragments of an urn were found in an area of charcoal and burnt bone. (1). Also a rubbish pit and two timber lined wells (2), not boundary marks as suggested by Watkin (1). Also in this field was a pit containing a samian bowl, decorated with lions, tigers and other animals and bearing the potters mark CINAMMI on the base. Also the sole of a sandal complete with nails (1).
Field Parcels numbered as described in Watkin shown on either side of the railway line (3)

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, 246-8 (Book). SCH2878.

<2> Thompson, F.H., 1964, A History of Cheshire. Volume Two: Roman Cheshire, 97 (Book). SCH2862.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7066, 1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.