Monument record 1972/0/2 - Heronbridge Roman Site

Excavations at Heronbridge by B R Hartley 1947-8 & 1953-5 on east side of Watling St. Initial phase of timber & stone buildings from c.AD 90-130,including corn - drying complex & bronze-smith's workshop.Layout of site changed c.AD 130- 40 with construction of stone strip buildings,separated by side streets c.6m wide. Buildings 35m x9-11m,leanto sheds & structures with rooms. Stream bed deepened & revetted with masonry & suggestion it served as small dock & buildings were store houses (1&2). VCH disagrees with dock theory because of difficulties with building locks from river. Suggest use as tail-race of mill or tank for water for industrial use (3).Occupation of buildings north of dock ended in Antonine period, but building south of it was rebuilt late 2nd or early 3rd century (1&2). Further work in 1958 by F H Thompson & J V H Eaves showed some reconstruction at north boundary, end of 2nd century. Back wall of shed located & poss base of water tank.Occupation into 3rd cenhtury. Trenching to north showed sandstone paving ,thinning out to poss north limit of site (3&4).

<1> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Hartley B R 1952 39/1-20 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<2> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Hartley B R & Kaine K F 1954 41/15-37 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/90 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Thompson, F.H., 1964, A History of Cheshire. Volume Two: Roman Cheshire, /64 1965 (Book). SCH2862.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ46SW11985 (Index). SCH2487.