Historic remains in park

May 9 2008 Chester Chronicle

SECOND year students from the University of Chester's archaeology course have been exploring historic remains hidden underneath Grosvenor Park.

The excavation provides a training experience for students.

The dig will run daily, Monday to Friday, until May 16.

The trench is located near the Vicar's Lane entrance to the park.

In 2007, a new Roman road was identified in this area, which runs underneath the park in the direction of the Roman Amphitheatre. This road dates to the 2nd century AD.

Lying on top of the Roman road are many other features relating to the period before the park was laid out in the 18th century.

These include a substantial amount of building rubble from post-medieval buildings, which may be all that is left of former buildings here.

Site director Simon Ward, senior archaeologist for Chester City Council, said: “The dig has started really well. The students are already uncovering fascinating evidence dating back to when the site was part of the grounds of Lord Cholmondeley’s mansion, which was badly damaged during the Civil War.”

For more information on the history and archaeology of Grosvenor Park, go to: www.chester.gov.uk/ grosvenorpark. For more information on archaeology at the University of Chester, visit: www.chester.ac. uk/historyandarchaeology.