During excavations associated with improvements to the A253 between Monkton and Minster, twenty two sunken floored or cellared structures, representing an unusual building type for this period, were revealed. Most of the structures, though quite variable in form, shared a number of common details. The buildings were generally rectangular in plan with their long axis aligned at 900 to the Roman road at the southern edge of the site. They were cut, on average, about 30 cm. into the chalk bedrock with steep sides and flat bottoms. Some of the structures contained hearths or scorched areas, post and stake holes (occasionally in great number), internal partitions and made up rammed chalk floors, though others were virtually featureless internally. The existence of the hearths and floor surfaces in particular, demonstrated that the occupied floor level was actually on the base of the sunken area. In addition, many had well defined entrances, occasionally marked by post settings for door jambs and provided with ramps or steps cut into the chalk, descending to floor level. These entrances were nearly always positioned on the west or south sides of the buildings. Although a number of the buildings contained obvious structural elements, either longitudinally aligned post settings or post pits around the edges of the cellared area, generally little evidence for the form of the superstructure survived. This suggests that the main walls of the buildings were often outside the sunken area, and may have been formed of turf or alternatively supported by timber plates laid directly on the ground surface. The artefacts recovered during excavation, whilst rarely retrieved from occupation deposits, indicate that a range of processes was occurring within the settlement. They suggest that metalworking, leatherworking and woodworking were all undertaken, as was the production of textiles. Agricultural processes were also suggested, in particular by a fragmentary antler rake, an iron rake prong, iron spade fragments and several iron reaping hooks. Clearly the sunken floored structures would have been intimately associated with these activities, their variability in design, layout and internal arrangement indicating many different functions were provided for. The small number that contained hearths were tentatively identified as being principally domestic in nature, although not necessarily exclusively so. Some may have had a variety of differing functions alongside domestic, examples include SFBs 14 and 15 which formed a series of interconnecting rooms. Buildings in which non domestic activity appears to have occurred include SFBs 11, 12, 19 and 21. SFB 11 contained three heaths; the others displayed burning upon their floors, perhaps from braziers. Each of these structures also contained a large number of internal features including separate chambers or extensions, and could have performed a variety of light industrial or agricultural activity. Three of the structures which were devoid of any internal features (2, 13 and 17) may have been stores. Also present within the settlement area were structures used for grain processing, for drying or smoking foodstuffs and as a privy. SFB 23 with a large elaborate hearth and attached rear annexe was perhaps associated with industrial or agricultural activities. Two structures were associated with enclosed central tanks which could have been used for malting, a process which is known to have occurred on site. other suggestions include facilities for storing wet goods, such as fish or shellfish, or perhaps to the preparation of cleaning of textiles or hides. There was no evidence to suggest that any of the sunken featured buildings were used for stabling animals. (information summarised from sources) (1-2)

<1> 1996, Arch Cant 116, 1996 (Article in serial). SKE54497.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Canterbury's Archaeology 1994 - 1995 (Serial). SKE11882.