The remains of a medieval building, a refuse pit, and medieval soil layers were excavated at 46-47 High Street, Canterbury in 2019. The refuse pit contained three fills; artefacts recovered from these fills include 9 sherds of medieval pottery dating from the 12th-14th centuries, animal bone, tile and mortar fragments, ceramic building material, and pieces of marine shell. The pit extended beyond the limits of the trench, therefore its precise dimensions are unknown.

The remains of the medieval building comprise a clay floor and a masonry wall. The wall was aligned NE-SW and was constructed from dressed flint with lime mortar. The surviving dimensions of the wall were >0.93x0.48x0.44m. The clay floor abutting the wall measured around 0.24m in thickness and was associated with small fragments of marine shell.

Layers of soil at the site included small fragments of marine shell in their fills.

An excavation at the site in 2002 revealed evidence for a Roman demolition layer (TR 15 NW 2704) which was cut by pits and overlain by a layer containing medieval material, suggesting that the pits might also date from the medieval period.

Hammerscale and industrial waste (including slag) dating from the post-medieval period at the site. These deposits are thought to be associated with the 19th-20th century Ironworks (H.M. Biggleston and Sons). Post-medieval wall foundations were also excavated at the site. These are thought to be associated with a demolished building dating from the post-medieval period. (1)

<1> RPS Group, 2019, LAND AT 46-47 HIGH STREET, CANTERBURY: Archaeological Statement (Unpublished document). SKE55847.