The Secrets of Chester's Grosvenor Park Revealed | |
31 May 2018Archaeologists from Cheshire West and Chester Council in partnership with the University of Chester, complete their annual training dig for second year archaeological students this week. The training dig is an essential part of their archaeology degree course.An Open Afternoon took place on May 29 giving the public the chance to see what the students have uncovered, study the objects that they have found and learn more about the history of this corner of Chester. The students have revealed a Roman road that led to the east entrance of the amphitheatre and a large building destroyed during the Civil War. The building appears to have been part of the medieval hospital and chapel of St. Anne which was acquired by Sir Hugh Cholmondeley in the late 16th century and developed as part of his mansion house. They have also discovered:
“You could say the dig has been left on something of a cliff-hanger with further questions to be answered when a new group of student archaeologists return in 2019.” Dr Caroline Pudney, Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Chester (who recently appeared in the Channel 4 programme, Britain’s Most Historic Towns, praising the Roman history of Chester), said: “We are so lucky to have such a major archaeological site on our doorstep, and for our students to have the opportunity to contribute to our knowledge of the city’s past. Chester’s Roman history has had its public profile raised recently, as it was the focal point of the Channel 4 programme, presented by Professor Alice Roberts. She was so impressed by our amphitheatre that she referred to it as her favourite site (www.channel4.com/info/press/news/interview-with-prof-alice-roberts-for-britains-most-historic-towns). Additionally, the varied nature of Chester’s post-Roman past provides a wide range of historic remains and therefore a unique environment for discovery that helps to inspire our students to further their archaeological experience.”  Archaeology open day Grosvenor Park  Grosvenor Park Archaeology dig | |
