Monument record TR 15 NW 596 - Roman occupation, Wincheap, Canterbury

Summary

Yard surfaces, traces of buildings, and rubbish pits dating from the 1st century through to the mid 3rd century.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 1449 5735 (13m by 12m) (18 map features)
Map sheet TR15NW
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (9)

Full Description

A pit, approx 6m in diameter, containing animal bone, shell and pottery ranging from the Late 1st to 3rd century was found in an evaluation trench by 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury along with a dump or spread of material containing pottery, animal bone and oyster shells. Other features from the medieval to post-medieval periods were also found in the area. Other features from the medieval to post-medieval periods were also found. (1)

In 2002 Canterbury Archaeological Trust carried out an excavation. The area was occupied from the 1st century onwards when a flint metalled surface was laid, possibly a courtyard attached to a Roman building. Other features relating to a Roman building at the site included a series of clay floors, associated occupation levels, and levelling deposits. Activity intensified during the 2nd century when further cobbled surfaces were laid out and large refuse and/or cess pits were dug. The pits measured 0.5-1.6m in length, 0.5-1.4m in width, and 0.25-0.5m in depth. Domestic refuse was found from both phases of use and it is possible that a number of timber buildings existed on the site.

Isolated post-holes and a group of post-holes were also associated with the building. The post-pits and post-holes at the site had recorded measurements of 0.28-0.38m in length, 0.28-0.42m in width, and depths of 0.13-0.47m. A series of metalled surfaces were recorded from different phases of occupation at the site.

Other features at the site included two beam slots aligned E-W and measuring 0.38-0.5m in width and 0.09-0.3m in depth. One of the beam slots had a recorded length of 1.4m.

Finds associated with the site include middle 1st-early 2nd century pottery, "a copper alloy Roman fibula brooch with a missing pin and perforated catchplate" (from the report, 3), another copper alloy fibula brooch with a solid catchplate and broken pin, tile and glass fragments, a ceramic counter, and a copper alloy coin.
The site appears to have gone out of use by the middle of the 3rd century. (2, 3)


<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Archaeological Evaluation Report: Land Adjoining 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury, CAT Evaluation 2001 (Unpublished document). SKE7652.

<2> Shand, G. and Hicks, A., 2013, Roman and medieval development of a Canterbury suburban area: Excavations at land adjoining No.10 Wincheap (Article in serial). SKE24817.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, Land adjoining 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury, The Stratigraphic Report (Unpublished document). SKE56131.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 2001. Archaeological Evaluation Report: Land Adjoining 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury. CAT Evaluation 2001.
  • <2> Article in serial: Shand, G. and Hicks, A.. 2013. Roman and medieval development of a Canterbury suburban area: Excavations at land adjoining No.10 Wincheap. Arch Cant CXXXIII 2013: 33-65.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 2004. Land adjoining 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury, The Stratigraphic Report.

Finds (11)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation of land Adjoining 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury (Ref: WR01) (EKE5662)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation on land adjoining 10-16 Wincheap, Canterbury, 2002 (Ref: Site code: WREX-02) (EKE23151)

Record last edited

Jun 3 2024 2:19PM