Abstract
DETERMINED efforts are to be made to save the Roman amphitheatre at Chester, which is threatened by the proposal to construct a by-pass road that, on the lines contemplated at present, would pass through the centre of the arena. The Council of the Chester and North Wales Archæological Society has issued a statement in which it is pointed out that even if the road could be constructed without damage to the remains, which is doubtful, it would put excavation in the future out of the question, while it is inevitable that the northern area adjoining the road would be developed for building purposes, and also made inaccessible. The Office of Works, which has been approached in the matter, views with approval the scheme to save the amphitheatre, which is the most considerable in Great Britain. The Office of Works would itself undertake the cost of excavation and be responsible for the future maintenance of the monument if the site was placed in its keeping. The cost of diverting the by-pass road to avoid the amphitheatre is estimated at a sum of £8000. The Council of the Archæological Society, therefore, appeals to the people of Chester, and of Great Britain, for a sum sufficient to enable this monument to be preserved. A stay of three months has been granted to afford an opportunity for the amount required to be raised.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chester Roman Amphitheatre Appeal. Nature 129, 429 (1932). https://doi.org/10.1038/129429c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/129429c0