The archaeological evaluation at HM Prison, Longport comprised the excavation of 6 evaluation trenches (3-8) within and around the extant prison wall, excavated in 2016. The evaluation was undertaken by Canterbury Archaeological Trust as a result of proposals for development at the site. Other finds and features include a possible prehistoric soil horizon and associated Iron Age pottery (TR 15 NE ?), medieval features (TR 15 NE 1947), and evidence for post-medieval quarrying (TR 15 NE 1948) and features associated with earlier HM prison buildings (TR 15 NE 1949).

The Iron Age evidence from the site comprised a possible prehistoric soil horizon and several sherds of Iron Age pottery - one associated with the prehistoric deposit, the other as residual material in the infill of one of the later features.

The Roman evidence comprised a pit, a stake hole, and a possible pit/linear feature. The small pit feature measure 0.55m in width and 0.40m in depth. The stake hole measured 0.09m in width and 0.10m in depth. The linear feature/pit measured 1.02m in diameter and 0.12m in depth. Environmental analsys of the linear feature/pit recovered traces of CBM/heat affected daub, burnt bone, burnt flint, charcoal, coal, clinker, and blobs of slag; the slag is thought to potentially result from earthworm activity.

Roman activity, including a cemetery and settlement, were identified through previous work to the SW of the site, suggesting that the features and finds uncovered may represent the continuity of this settlement.

Roman tile and pottery were discovered as deposits (mainly residual) in a number of layers. These have not been recorded as artefacts due to the likelihood that the majority of these artefacts were residual. The pottery from these deposits comprised 6 sherds with a combined weight of 50g, the tile from these deposits comprised 30 pieces/fragments, with a combined weight of 2952g. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd, 2016, Former HM Prison, Longport, Canterbury Kent Archaeological evaluation report (Unpublished document). SKE52668.