Newsletter 59

UK's Largest Amphitheatre

Chester can boast the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain but only half of it has ever been exposed. However, if present ambitious plans are agreed, the whole site could be excavated and put on display in a multi-million pound scheme proposed by Chester Amphitheatre Trust. The final complex would include a visitor's centre, restaurant, shops and cafés. Unfortunately this would mean the demolition of the County Court, which has only just been finished and also Dee House, which happens to be a Grade II listed building. The latter is bound to attract stiff opposition from English Heritage, but the Trust is convinced the loss would be justified, with the creation of a tourist attraction of international importance.

Excavations have recently been carried out in the half that is exposed and have revealed two giant sandstone foundation walls with evidence of a drainage system. The alignment of these walls is not the same as the amphitheatre itself, which suggests an earlier structure completely separate from the later arena. Keith Matthews, senior archaeologist with Chester City Council, thinks these are the remains of a large bathhouse dating from the earliest period of the Roman occupation. If this is true the building could not have stood for longer than 25 years as the amphitheatre is know to have been constructed by 100 AD.

Smallbrook Field trip

Inclement weather ruled out any activity in the field last month, however Mark Haywood did manage to take me to Hindley Green to reconnoitre the fields around Smallbrock Lane. This is with a view to further work in this area in search of the Wigan to Manchester Roman Road. Following on from the success of our September's resistivity survey (see Newsletter 57), it seems sensible to look at adjacent fields. Sibson, the 19th century antiquarian, mentions finding the Road in the field to the west of the Smallbrook stream in Brook Meadow. The problem here however is that, apart from the garden immediately on the other side of the stream, the ground has been artificially raised in recent years to provide grazing land for the owner's Shetland ponies. However, the fields to the east, adjacent to Lovers Lane, seem to have been untouched certainly in the last 150 years. The line is not marked here on the 1st Edition OS Map of 1849, but Sibson mentions finding the Road as it passed 'just south of the orchard' at Lovers Lane.

The area is ideal for resistivity, which we will carry out as soon as the weather permits. Mark also pointed out a huge crop mark in the field immediately to the south of our surveyed field. It is difficult to decide whether this is due to archaeology or agriculture. It does appear on the aerial photo of the area so maybe it is worth a test run with the meter.

Carr Common Development

To finish off the afternoon Mark took me to another site he has had his eye on recently. This is the housing development at Carr Common in HindleyGreen. The site is on the north side of Wigan Road between Dangerous Corner and West-Leigh road. The Roman Road is thought to run just behind the houses here, parallel with the main road. Etymology suggests there may have also been a camp in the vicinity. Over the last few weeks, as the developers removed the topsoil, Mark has noticed a scattering of stones in the suspected area. He also picked up a small a piece of glass, which could well be Roman. Further away from the houses Mark also spotted what appeared to be a large bank and ditch feature in the excavation of the access road. The pace of the development, however, has prevented any further viewing of these features in any detail - my only reward for this excursion was a pair of extremely muddy boots! I did however get to see Swampy's tree hut. (It seems the developers have also managed to upset conservation activists with their apparent disregard for local woodland.)

Next Meeting

Wednesday 4th December at the BP Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, at 7.30 pm as usual. This month's speaker is Andrew Davison from English Heritage, who will be talking on 'The Workings of English Heritage (North West)'.

As it is the last meeting before Christmas the usual refreshments will be provided. Hope to see you there, if not, all the very best for Christmas and hope to see you in the New Year. B.A.