The Antiquary Newsletter of the Chester Archaeological Society 2017 Issue 1 (Spring/Summer)

Society Contact Information Excavations at Moel Arthur: meeting a new challenge Chairman: Janet Axworthy MCIfA [email protected] Excavating at Moel Arthur is not for the would like to develop their site leader- Honorary Secretary: faint-hearted, as the CAS members who ship skills to have the opportunity to do Alan Williams have worked there will know only too so under the supervision of a profes- 20 The Yonne, City Walls Road, well. However, the cold winds, horizon- sional archaeologist. This mentoring is tal rain, lack of creature comforts and intended to provide support from the Chester, CH1 2NH steep climb are amply compensated by planning stage through to reporting. 01244 310563 the panoramic view. In addition, the [email protected] evidence of pre-historic activity on the To widen the pool of candidates beyond site provides an incentive to put up with CRAG, members of other local archaeo- Honorary Treasurer and the weather conditions. logical groups are being invited to apply Membership Secretary: for a place on the scheme. The primary Ian Candlin Recent radio carbon dating evidence aim is to enable work at Moel Arthur to 01244 332352 suggests that human activity on the enter a new phase but graduates of this [email protected] plateau below the hill-fort may go back training should also prove a worthwhile to the Mesolithic. Among the finds has resource for future community archaeo- Fieldwork co-ordinator: been a structure which may be a ‘burnt logical projects in the Clwydian Range Dr Kevin Cootes mound’. Another intriguing feature ap- and Dee Valley area. pears to be some sort of oven. Expert Honorary Journal Editor: examination of flints has provided fur- The scheme depends on the success of Editorial Sub-committee ther corroboration of prehistoric activity. a funding application to the Heritage chesterarchaeologicalsocie- Lottery Fund, the outcome of which is [email protected] While the Moel Arthur site is proving expected shortly. If you would like to well worth further investigation, a new hear more about this training opportuni- Honorary Newsletter Editor: challenge has developed for the Clwydi- ty, please mail [email protected] Dan Garner an Range Archaeology Group (CRAG) [email protected] which has been leading the excavation. Hilary Lidbury Both the Group’s site directors have had to retire and a replacement has not yet CRAG Secretary Internet been found. In response, CRAG has designed a training scheme to enable www.chesterarchaeolsoc.org.uk sufficiently experienced volunteers who You can follow the society via social media: on facebook and twitter Library Members are welcome to access the Society’s library at Chester History and Heritage (general books) and Chester University (journals).

The Chester Antiquary is published twice a year, in Spring and Autumn. We welcome letters and articles from members. Contributions for the next newsletter should be with the newsletter editor no later than 8th September 2017 ten women from the past, whilst Raising Horizons Exhibition highlighting their continuing impact and legacy through their connec- From May 20th to June 4th 2017 at this exhibition which celebrates the tions to today’s pioneers. the Grosvenor Museum and Ches- forgotten histories of female Ar- ter History and Heritage Centre. chaeologists, Palaeontologists and The exhibition includes Professor Geologists . It brings together the Cynthia Burek of the University of CAS is pleased to be a sponsor for “TrowelBlazers” a collaboration of Chester. Archaeologists represent- female scien- ed include Margaret Murray, Ger- tists and pho- tude Caton Thompson, Dorothy tographer Garrod, Tessa Verney-Wheeler, Leonora Kathleen Kenyon, Margaret Guido, Saunders to Honor Frost and Jacquetta Hawkes. celebrate two centuries of The history of Chester hidden trowel “Trowelblazers” will be celebrated in -blazing his- the Chester History and Heritage tory through Centre with an exhibition on local captivating archaeologists Mrs and Miss Page portraits: Cox and Miss Paget who were in- Fourteen por- strumental in excavation work in traits, posed Chester between the wars. by women working in the The exhibition will be at the field today, Grosvenor Museum before going on depict an im- a further national and international agined mo- tour. If you would like to find out ment in time more about TrowelBlazers please from the life go to their website of a historical http://trowelblazers.com/ counterpart. Emma Stringfellow Based on evidence in- cluding origi- nal photo- graphs, mem- oirs, biog- raphies and fieldwork dia- ries, the exhi- bition brings to life forgot-

Cost: £5 CAS members, £7 non- August, meeting time 13.30 at the Society Excursions members payable to Alice Bray on Milking Parlour, Poulton (full direc- 2017 the night. tions on Excursions page of CAS website). Please note booking is essential Shotwick Castle Dr Kevin Cootes will lead this Poul- with Alice Bray at Shotwick Castle: Saturday 8th July, ton Project site visit, preceded by a meet 14.00 outside the Greyhound [email protected] talk at the Milking Parlour updating Inn, Saughall CH1 6BJ. many important developments since Full details of arrangements for Dr Peter Carrington will lead a walk- the 2015 CAS visit. Car parking is at these visits are on the Excursions ing tour to the site of C11th Shot- the Milking Parlour. NB there is then page of CAS website. wick Castle, duration 2 -3 hours. a ¾ mile walk to the site and mem- Norton Participants are responsible for their bers may choose to attend only the own transport. talk, which builds on Dr Cootes’ lec- and its new museum: ture of 8.2.17. Thursday 27th April, meet 18.30 at Please note this entails a circular, Norton Priory car park (directions on possibly muddy walk of about 2 Free to CAS members but dona- Excursions page of CAS website). miles over several field stiles. Free tions to the Poulton Project on the to CAS members, suggested £2 day will be welcome. The visit will include a special guid- donation non-members ed tour of the new museum, led by Alice Bray Lynn Smith who lectured on this Poulton subject to CAS on 9.11.16. The Poulton Project: Saturday 19th  our Lecture Programme; A new feature on the web site is the A New Website Members’ Area, this is a password  our Fieldwork Activities; protected part of the site which has Early in 2017 Chester Archaeologi- yet to be populated. However we  our Library of Journals, Manu- cal Society published a new and plan to post documents relating to scripts and Books; updated web site. This comprehen- the management of the Society and sive, easy to navigate web site has  the Excursions we organise, other information relevant to mem- all you need to know about the His- bers. tory and Activities of the Society.  the Journal and Newsletter We would welcome your comments Simply go to we publish; and feedback on the web site which http://chesterarchaeolsoc.org.uk/  and our Advocacy Work should be e-mailed to us at which seeks to safeguard our select from the menu on the right of archaeological heritage and chesterarchaeologicalsocie- the top banner and find out about put forward our views on new [email protected] what we do and how you can get development proposals. involved. Hugh Bray There is information about:-

class housing on the Two Editions of our Journal in 2017 Boughton Retail Centre site.

Sadly, Birgitta Hoffmann resigned  and the discovery of Civil War  A study of hitherto- unpublished Roman to Civil as the Honorary Journal Editor at ditches at Chester the end of October 2016 because of War coin hoards in the pressure of her existing commit- Plus book reviews, notes and our museums will be the first ments. Thanks go to Birgitta for all usual annual round-ups of fieldwork fruits of our scheme to offer of the work she undertook for the and finds reported to the Portable biennial grants to encourage society whilst serving as Editor. Antiquities Scheme. the study of Portable Antiqui- ties Scheme finds. Peter Carrington has resumed the We are doing our best to get publi- post with the support of a subcom- cation back on track with volume 87  Papers on Roman samian mittee including Janet Axworthy, appearing by the end of 2017. We pottery from the construction Dan Garner and Alan Williams. have a wealth of contributions of the Chester Inner Ring promised so far including:– Road in 1970 and on the in- Unfortunately, volume 86 of our dustrialisation of Chester journal is now likely to be published  reports on two Roman rural 1650–1900 have been fi- settlements, at Saighton about six months late (expected nanced by the St John’s Camp and Chester Business May 2017). The good news is that House Trust. we have some fascinating articles Park, both possibly villa including:– sites; Finally, the scope of our annual PAS round-up is being widened to  Mesolithic material from Poul-  the importance of the Chester include finds from neighbouring are- ton and Congress of the British Ar- as that have implications for Chesh- chaeological Association in ire.  The excavation of a Bronze 1849 for the publication of Age ‘burnt mound’ at Arclid, John Collingwood Bruce’s Peter Carrington near Sandbach; classic work, the Handbook to the Roman Wall;  a major reconsideration of the early seventh-century Battle  the refurbishment of Norton of Chester by our member Dr priory museum; Clive Tolley;  and a report on nineteenth-  a study of a medieval murder century tanning and working- victim at Norton Priory;

[email protected] The Society’s Library The Society's books are stored at https://cheslive.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi- the Cheshire Libraries Central Store bin/koha/opac-main.pl in Chester. They are now available To avoid typing in this long link you for members and the public alike via can click on it on the library page of the Cheshire Libraries Catalogue. the Society’s website. This can be searched on line at home or in your local library at: Stephen Clarke, Librarian to be paid to the Soci- Archaeological Society), to: Ian Annual Subscriptions ety, that subscriptions Candlin, Hon.Treasurer, 6 Fox were due on 01 Janu- Lane, Waverton, Chester, CH3 May I remind those members ary 2017. Please send your 7PQ. My thanks in anticipation. whose 2017 subscriptions have still cheques (made payable to Chester Ian Candlin

http://archaeopress.com/ New Publications ArchaeopressShop/Public/ displayProductDetail.asp?id=% There are a number of recent publi- 7BDF1C7F3C-D181-480B-A1CE- cations on local archaeological 542527B054CB%7D themes which may appeal to mem- A limited number of printed copies bers. will be available for sale at a slightly The results of the archaeological discounted event price at the CBA work of the Habitats and Hillforts North West spring meeting to be Project were published at the end of held at the Grosvenor Museum on 2016. This is likely to be the defini- Saturday 6th May 2017. tive publication on the prehistoric hillforts of the mid Cheshire Ridge Dan Garner for some time to come. It is availa- ble from Archaeopress as both a printed paperback monograph at £45.00 or as an Epublication at £19.00.

courses, family events, outdoor the- Norton Priory Museum and Gardens atre, and our series of early evening talks. If you are looking for somewhere to There are 42 acres to explore in- visit during the summer do put the cluding a 2½ acre Georgian Walled The talks take place on the second Monday in the month, evenings at new, state-of-the-art Norton Priory Garden, sculpture trail, two new Museum on your list. Since opening galleries, giant medieval statue of 7.00pm for about an hour, please in August last year the Heritage Lot- Saint Christopher, twelfth century book in advance by phoning 01928 569895, entry to each talk is just £3 tery Funded £4.5million re- , and a new café, so there per head (Norton Priory Members development has doubled visitor is something for everyone. numbers and we are looking for- are free). A full programme of events and ac- ward to a busy summer. tivities include traditional skills http://nortonpriory.org/events/talks/

Consultation on the Commonhall Street Development Brief

In February the Society responded eastern part of the area, as do Council’s ability to take direct action to CWaC’s review of its Commonhall the fortress granaries further to improve matters. Nevertheless, a Street Development Brief, covering north; number of public realm improve- the area west of Bridge Street. ments are highlighted.  while the gardens around the The medieval grain of this part of Friars and Bank House pre- The Society’s response emphasised Chester was severely damaged by serve some memory of the the need to preserve and enhance the construction of service roads in court and other open spaces the surviving historic plan form, the 1950s and 1960s, and much of around the medieval Carmel- buildings and significant open spac- the area is still dominated by un- ite friary. es, and create a high-quality built sightly backlands and vacant plots. environment of appropriate scale in Nevertheless, the historic environ-  The area also contained St the plots that are presently waste in ment retains considerable potential: Ursula’s Hospital and the order to restore a sense of hierar- Commonhall, but their precise chy, enclosure and continuity to the  Whitefriars and Weaver Street positions are unknown. streets. preserve Roman street lines, as may Commonhall Street We are pleased to report that the Peter Carrington and Pierpoint Lane; revised development brief showed much awareness of this potential  large and well preserved but and of the problems facing the area. poorly understood Roman However, land ownership is very buildings underlie much of the fragmented, and this reduces the