Source/Archive record SCH5493 - Proposed New Market Hall at Frodsham Street Car Park, Chester: an Archaeological Evaluation

Following on from an archaeological assessment of the Frodsham Street car park, a field evaluation was undertaken. This work consisted of six trial trenches. Beneath the car park surface and modern overburden and outside the areas disturbed by a series of WWII air raid shelters, well-preserved archaeological deposits were recognised at a depth of between 0.60m and 0.87m below modern ground level. In accordance with the conclusions of the initial desk-based assessment, the outer line of the sequence of defensive ditches on the east side of the city wall was identified. Beyon the defences, deep accumulations of topsoil were associated with the former monastic gardens. At lower levels, various phases of Roman activity were identified, including metalling which may be associated with the parade ground. Residual shers of pre-Conquest pottery were also recovered.