More information : (SJ 405662) Deva Roman Legionary Fortress (R) (1)
The Roman Legionary Fortress at Chester, of 59.3 acres
(56 acres(4)), was built between 78-86 A D., on a sandstone plateau
enclosed by two arms of the River Dee and was occupied by the
Legio II Adiutrix. Preceeding this was a fort consisting of a
timber box rampart with a soil core retained by planking, of pre
flavian date (A D 50-60). The defences of the legionary fortress
consisted of a turf rampart with interval towers surrounded
by a 'V' shaped ditch. The Legio XX Valeria Victrix took over
the fortress circa A D 86. Throughout the second century the
defences and internal buildings were replaced with stone. Early
in the third century the defences were refurbished. The ramparts
and interval towers were heightened and widened. This was followed
by a reconstruction of the fortresses internal buildings. At
the end of the third century there was widespread demolition of the
internal buildings. Strickland postulates that this was the time
that the Legio XX Valeria Victrix left Chester. But Frere states
that the legion left Chester circa 383 AD to aid Magnus Maximus
in his rebellion against Gratian; the fortress then appears to
have been left to the Votadni under Cunnedda. Name accepted by
Rivet. See illustration.
The excavated area at Abbey Green, which revealed Roman occupation
from the late 50's A D to the abandonment of the Legionary
Fortress has been scheduled.
Two rampart buildings, an interval tower and the inter vallum
roadway at Abbey Green at SJ 40486668 were exposed at the time
of the investigation. There is a proposal to preserve the tower
and rampart buildings.(2-10)
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