Monument record 8048 - Roman furnace at Bedward Row

Investigations in the Infirmary Fields area between 1912 and 1917 recorded evidence of a clay furnace to the north of Bedward Row approximately 1.0-1.06m in diameter. The furnace comprised a circular floor and partially collapsed arched roof of calcined clay and had been in-filled with roofing tiles, potsherds and made ground. The flue feeding the furnace lay to the east and comprised a length of rough blocks of sandstone approximately 1m in length. The structure was sealed by a burnt layer above which were several inhumations indicating a period of use for the furnace between the late first century to early second century AD. The hearth may have been used for metalworking; the burnt layer was perhaps produced by nearby industrial activity (1) & (2).

<1> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1914, The Roman Cemetery in the Infirmary Field, Chester, p159 (Article in Journal). SCH6481.

<2> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1921, The Roman Cemetery in the Infirmary Field, Chester, p50 (Article in Journal). SCH6479.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p178 (Book). SCH3556.