Yahoo News Archaeological dig commences at Grosvenor Park with hope to uncover more Chester secrets
Archaelogical digging has recommenced at Grosvenor Park as students hope to uncover more clues from Chester's past. University of Chester Arachaeology students are searching for Roman houses, remains of the pre-Roman landscape, and clues about a house destroyed during the Civil War.
The dig will continue to Friday, May 17. The excavation project began in 2007 and has since uncovered a Roman road, part of a large Saxon ditch and a thick layer of debris from the destruction of a building during the English Civil War. The latter produced the largest assemblage of 17th century military equipment to be found in Chester.
These discoveries have prompted more questions such as: Do remains survive of the pre-Roman landscape? Were there any Roman buildings alongside the road? Was the Saxon ditch part of a fortification and does it run south towards the river? Is the destruction debris from the house constructed by Sir Hugh Cholmondeley in the late 16th century and destroyed in the Civil War? Does anything survive of the medieval buildings that preceded the house and were part of the precinct of St John’s Church?
READ MORE: Last letter from Cheshire Everest climber George Mallory to wife is published | It's now 100 years since George Mallory died on Mount Everest - a letter to his wife reveals he told her his chances were 50 to 1
READ MORE: Animals killed at Cheshire children's charity in 'trespass' incident | 10 animals are dead or missing after a trespassing incident at The Children's Adventure Farm, near Millington
A greater number of students want to take part this year so the excavation trench from 2023 is being extended to the west to re-open an area last seen in 2021 where traces of a late medieval or 16th century building were found.
One of this year's aims is to find out more about this building and how it relates to a medieval building found to the north several years ago and Sir Hugh Cholmondeley’s house. The Saxon ditch should run across this area, and it might be possible to find its outline. The team is also hoping to find more evidence of the Civil War and its impact on the area.
A free-to-visit open afternoon will be held on Tuesday, May 14, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, to see what has been found. No booking is necessary.
Visitors are also welcome to view the excavation, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here
