 The long-running saga regarding the future of Chester’s
Amphitheatre took another turn last month, with the announcement by Chester City Council
and English Heritage that a two-year programme of investigations has been planned. This
will assess the potential for large-scale excavations in the future and preparations are
already underway for non-invasive fieldwork, including a geophysical survey and laser
scanning. Two seasons of excavations have also been planned and it is intended that the
general public will be kept well informed of the progresses, with a website and site
viewing areas. Suggestions have also been made for volunteers and students to get
involved. As I have mentioned in a previous newsletter (No
59), ambitious plans for the
total restoration of this fine monument were proposed by the Chester Amphitheatre Trust,
but this would mean the demolition of the Dee House (a Grade II listed building) and the
newly built County Court house. The present plans do not go anywhere near this far but,
thankfully, the brick wall dividing the site will be removed and an informed assessment
will made on the future of the now dilapidated Dee House. By the way Keith Matthews, who
gave us a marvellous talk, on the recent work being carried out on the site, has now left
Chester Archaeology for Hertfordshire where he has been appointed Archaeological Officer.
We wish him well in his new venture. For those with Internet access, the full story of
this intriguing site can be found at :
www.bwpics.co.uk/amphitheatre.html
Summer Trip
Our summer trip details have been now been finalised and will take place on Sunday 15th
August. Peter Crews from the Snowdonia National Park Study Centre has arranged a full
day’s programme for us which includes the following highlights:
• Auxiliary Roman Fort at Tomen y Mur,
• 14th Cent. Iron Workings at Llwyn Du,
• Corn Mill and Kiln at Tyddyn Du,
• Iron-age Hill for at Bryn y Castell.
It looks like there is something here for everybody. If you want to go, please fill out
the enclosed form and send it or give to me at the next meeting. The cost will depend on
numbers but as it will be just to cover the cost of transport it should be in the range of
£12 to £15.
Roman Fort
The fort at Tomen Y Mur is set in a spectacular landscape and includes such features as
a training camp, parade ground, bathhouse and (strangely enough for an auxiliary fort) an
amphitheatre. It also has a Motte in its very centre which most likely dates from the time
when William II was on campaign in Wales (around 1095). The whole area is awash with
ancient legends. One legend, which includes the nearby Hill fort at Bryn y Castell, tells
of a magician named Gwydion who is killed when a spear is thrown at him through a slab of
stone. In a field not far from the fort there is a standing stone with a hole in it which
supposedly is the very one through which Gwydion was slain. All these sites lie close to
the Sarn Helen, a Roman Road which is thought to have run all the way from Carmarthen in
the south to Caernarfon in the North.
Iron Workings
On-going research at the 14th C Iron Workings at Llwyn Du will ensure that we will see
some actual excavations in progress. Work here was started in the early 1990s when a
bloomery furnace was detected together with evidence for smithying. Associated with the
site are large slag heaps and a charcoal processing area.
Corn Mill
For those involved in our work at the Standish Corn Mill, the site at Tyddyn Du should
be very interesting as there is a completely restored drying kiln similar to the one we
excavated in the mid 1990s (details are on our website), including a complete set of
perforated floor tiles.
Lancaster University
Saturday 19th June, David Shotter will be holding a Day Study on the Roman
Frontiers in Britain. The cost is £15 and you will need to book in advance
(details at the meeting). On the day David will be launching a revised edition of his
“Romans and Britons in North-West England”.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 5th May at the BP Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, at 7.30 pm as usual.
This month’s speaker is Bill Shannon from the Lancashire
Archaeological Society whose talk is entitled Before Ordinance Survey, a
study of Old Maps of Lancashire.
Darwen Archaeological Society
A newly formed group who have shown an interest in our society as they are also looking
for a Roman Roads in their area. We have invited a delegation to attend our next meeting
and I am sure they will receive a warm welcome.
See you there, B.A.
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