We are pleased to announce that the long awaited extension to the existing in-situ archaeological digs has finally begun.

What are we hoping to find?
Although part of the site was excavated in the 1990’s, there is still a large area which has never been archaeologically explored. The remains currently on display indicate that there would have been an important building within the confines of the site but the exact nature of the buildings has thus far remained a mystery.

There has been suggestion that a military hospital (valetudinarium) could have once stood on this site. This supposition has been based on the known layout of several other Roman fortresses. However, the remains of a building in the upper half of the fortress has also been linked with a hospital function due to the discovery of two altars that had been set up by physicians.

In addition to endeavouring to find out more about this little known area of the fortress, we are also hoping to unearth a mosaic that was spotted by workmen in the 1960’s. This, of course, would be an exciting find and would give members of public an extremely rare opportunity to see an in-situ mosaic in the North-West of England.

How are we going to do this?
The site appears to have been in constant use since the Roman times. We therefore need to carefully excavate the area layer by layer so that a full chronological record of the site can be undertaken. Of particular interest is the possibility of finding more Saxon remains, as this period has been sadly under-represented in the archaeological records of Chester.

Who will be doing it?
We are lucky to have secured two local eminent archaeologists for the duration of the 2009 – 2010 excavations. Mike Emery, Site Director of the Poulton Research Project, and Alan Wilmshurst, Site Supervisor at the Poulton Research Project, have both dedicated themselves to the research and full excavation of the Dewa Roman Experience site.