Chester Amphitheatre

Today, Chester's Roman amphitheatre is a shadow of its former glory. Trapped within the modern urban landscape, it  is difficult to picture the ancient ruin as the major city landmark it was more than 1,600 years ago. English Heritage and Chester City Council are now working together to find out more about what this rare and important monument would once have looked like.

"We owe a great debt to the various people who have carried out excavations in the past", said Stewart Ainsworth of English Heritage's Landscape Investigation Team. "If it hadn't been for their research, we would know next to nothing about the amphitheatre. But excavation - unavoidably - is a destructive process. Today we recognise our duty to find out as much as possible using 'non-invasive techniques' - that is, before we even think of touching a trowel."

 The non-invasive phase of the archaeological investigation is now complete and excavations started on 14 June 2004. Several specialist techniques were used: all the different findings were compiled onto a single digital map, which will grow as the excavation progresses, as the first step in creating a detailed computerised reconstruction. Following the analysis of historic maps, aerial photos, and records of earlier research, surveyors on the ground produced a stone-by-stone record of the masonry left exposed by the previous excavations. Ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry and earth resistance survey - techniques collectively known as 'geophysical survey' - were used to find out as much as possible about the remains still buried beneath the surface. Other archaeologists are still scouring the surrounding streets for surviving clues as to how the amphitheatre may have fitted into the Roman town plan. But as well as promising to provide new insights into Chester's Roman past, the detailed survey and analysis may also shed light on the city's early Christian heritage.

"The Church of St John the Baptist, Chester's first Cathedral, possibly built as early as the  7th century AD, stands nearby - and we don't think that's a coincidence", said Stewart Ainsworth "What makes this monument so unique and interesting is that the site preserves a complete archaeological record from the Roman period right through to the present day. It gives us a rare opportunity to study not only the amphitheatre, but also - just as importantly - how the amphitheatre was used after the Roman army left. Whatever that later use was, it seems to have influenced the siting of St John's, and thus created the blueprint for the layout of Chester as we see it today. By undertaking the most detailed non-invasive study ever attempted of an amphitheatre site, we will be in a much better position to understand what we dig up now that the excavations have begun."

For further information, contact Stewart Ainsworth in English Heritage's York office on 01904 601901 or e-mail stewart.ainsworth@english-heritage.org.uk

Chester amphitheatre is cared for by English Heritage and Chester City Council.