DRINKING and chatting may have been as popular 2,000 years ago as it is today judging by the fragment of Roman cup found outside Chester’s Caffe Nero.

Contractors working in Bridge Street discovered the base of the Samianware which, by coincidence, could potentially have dated from the time of Emperor Nero.

It is impressed with the stamp of Albanus ii, the potter who made it and operated in South Gaul in AD 60-80.

It was found in the centre of what would have been the Roman fortress, built AD 74-75. This means it is among the earliest Roman pottery found in the city.

Senior archaeologist Jane Hebblewhite, from Cheshire West and Chester Council, said the Roman cup may have been broken and thrown into a rubbish pit.

She dismissed the idea it was a coffee cup as coffee did not appear in Britain until the 17th century. More likely, it would have been used to drink wine or water.

Jane said: “It is interesting, the fact it was stamped, so it’s easy to date and interesting that it’s from the time when the fortress was being built.”

The cup was uncovered by council contractors widening the pavements, who found it just below the old paving slabs.

Also discovered was distinctive Samian pottery, dating to the late 1st or early 2nd century and the handle of an amphora, a large vessel of Mediterranean manufacture used to store olive oil.

As well as using olive oil in cooking, Romans also washed with it by rubbing it on their bodies and gently scraping it off with a small piece of wood.

On the other side of Bridge Street archaeologists found the remains of a Roman drain which caused some delay to the scheme, which is now complete.