The rows of Chester: Some thoughts on the results of recent research

Grenville, Jane

doi:10.1080/00438243.1990.9980119

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…). There has long been an established settlement here; a Roman fortress or Principia with an associated civilian settlement named ‘ Deva’ was created by the Romans in the 8 th decade AD (Grenville ), the site being continually occupied through Anglo‐Saxon, Norman and Medieval times, to the present day. The Roman occupation left a lasting legacy: parts of the fortress walls and entrance gate sites were preserved and Medieval churches were built directly onto previous Roman building foundations (Lewis and Thacker ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GPR investigations to characterize Medieval and Roman foundations under existing shop premises: a case study from Chester, Cheshire, UK

Pringle¹,

Lenham²,

Reynolds³

2008

Near Surface Geophysics

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A high-resolution, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigation was performed on existing commercial shop premises within The Rows, Chester, UK to detect near-surface features, including a suspected Medieval undercroft (cellar), the location of which was unknown. GPR 2D profiles were acquired on a 0.5 m square grid-pattern both within the premises and on an exterior, Medieval raised walkway. Multi-frequency (250, 500 and 800 MHz dominant frequency) repeat-surveys were acquired in selected areas over the grid to resolve progressively deeper near-surface structures and used to generate 500 and 800 MHz horizontal 'time-slices'.Floor-supporting wooden beams with steel supports on the exterior walkway, the Medieval undercroft, associated passageways and a hitherto unexpected access trap-door were all successfully located. The undercroft was found to be air-filled. Three near-surface rectangular areas were identified and found not to be associated with the undercroft; these were interpreted to represent heterogeneous, rubble back-fill. Separate, isolated, raised areas were also identified ~1.5 m below present floor level; these were interpreted as relict brick column supports from a long-demolished, Roman building. GPR data acquired on the exterior raised walkway also found evidence for relict support structures from a former shopfront.All of the targeted anomalies were intrusively investigated and provided positive confirmation of the geophysical interpretations. Archaeological investigations of trial pits confirmed the site's varied history and depth to bedrock. GPR was therefore effective in this study to locate and characterize the modern, Medieval and Roman features without extensive intrusive investigation, whilst causing minimal disruption to commercial operations. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of carefully acquired and processed, high-resolution, closely-spaced GPR survey data in near-surface characterization for geotechnical investigations. GPR investigations to characterize Medieval and Roman foundations under existing shop premises: a case study from Chester, Cheshire, UKpied through Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Medieval times, to the present day. The Roman occupation left a lasting legacy: parts of the fortress walls and entrance gate sites were preserved and Medieval churches were built directly onto previous Roman building foundations (Lewis and Thacker 2003). In Medieval times, Chester was of strategic and economic importance, due to both the development of the port and its border position. During this time, construction was influenced by the major relict Roman fortress plan and structures; Lewis and Thacker (2003) suggested that 'The Rows' were created as a consequence of the location and availability of relict material in relation to Chester's varied topography. These unique structures are still present today, comprising a series of interconnected frontages, forming multi-level, raised walkways through commercial properties of various building dates and architectural styles (Fig. 2).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%