Source/Archive record SCH8149 - Rediscovering Roman Northwich. Phase 1: Assessment of the Archaeological Archive

The Centre for Applied Archaeology, University of Salford was commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council to undertake the first stage of a project to publish the late 20th century excavated material from Roman Northwich (centred SJ 653 734), as per a proposal from 2015 (Nevell 2015). Phase 1, which is reported upon in this study, was a rapid assessment of the archive material held by Cheshire Museums, the South Trafford Archaeological Group, the University of Manchester, Warrington Museum and ‘Arts About Northwich’ at Northwich Library. This report will be used to inform Phases 2 and 3 of the project. It gives a written assessment of this material, outlining the archaeology from each site, with a site plan where possible, and identifying key finds assemblages for more detailed study. The conclusion of this study is that publication of the material from 1974‐1990, would form the basis of a modern, informed, understanding of Roman Northwich. The unpublished investigations which are the focus of this study were undertaken by the University of Manchester, with the support of the Northwich Archaeological Group/Society and the South Trafford Archaeological Group, during the period 1974 to 1990. This work, led by the late Prof Barri Jones (d. 1999), was conducted without the benefit of the current planning process, begun with the issuing of PPG16 in November 1990. These unpublished excavations include the following sites:- Dairy Site (1973) Zion Chapel (1974) Harrisons/Ryder Place (1978) Chester Road (1980) The Bowling Green (1983 and 1985) The Garages (1985) Weaver Street (1987‐1990) Ryder Street (1989) Pleasant Street (1990) Additional investigations included in the study occurred in the 2000's, undertaken by University of Manchester, as follows:- Witton Street (2002) Blue Barrel and Verdin Park (2005)