Monument record TR 15 NE 414 - Romano-British burials found near Diocesan House, Canterbury

Summary

An initial evaluation excavation led to a full excavation of the site at 'Diocesan House,' 26 Broad St, Canterbury for deep new foundations for office block extension. Overlaying late Iron Age/early Roman activity (TR 15 NE 379) is part of a Roman cemetery. Seven inhumations were uncovered, two cutting the boundary ditch, likely to date to the 3rd century or later. A re-deposited cremation urn was also found suggesting that the cemetery started before the 3rd century. This part of the cemetery was then sealed with a layer of soil, probably representing a hiatus in the use of this part of the cemetery. A large hollow containing a thick heavily compacted layer of ash, showing re-useage over a period of time, may have been used to cremate a succession of bodies. In the north-western corner of the excavation site the cemetery continued, crossed with metalled paths In use for short periods of time. On path was cut by two burials, one of which contained the skeleton of a man who died between the ages of 19- 23. To the south of these were two more burials. Both burials contained the remains of females, one contained a teenager with three bronze bracelets on her right wrist and on her left, which was missing, a further two bronze bracelets and one of shale. Also found was a silver ring with a cornelian stone with an intaglio figure of a hound carved into it. All the jewellery was characteristic of the 3rd to 4th centuries. Scattered between the burials and a boundary ditch (TR 15 NE 415), but concerntrated in the south of the site were a number of post holes and pits.

Location

Grid reference TR 15331 57917 (point) Estimated from sources
Map sheet TR15NE
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (6)

Full Description

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Arch. Cant. 1993, 'Interim Report on Work Carried Out in 1993 by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1992, Diocesan House Evaluation Excavation (Unpublished document). SKE8156.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1992, Diocesan House, 26 Broad Street Canterbury, Evaluation & Excavation April & October 1992 (Unpublished document). SKE8294.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Miscellaneous Material: Not applicable. SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry. Arch. Cant. 1993, 'Interim Report on Work Carried Out in 1993 by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1992. Diocesan House Evaluation Excavation.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1992. Diocesan House, 26 Broad Street Canterbury, Evaluation & Excavation April & October 1992.

Finds (5)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation Excavation at Diocesan House, Canterbury (Ref: CAT Site Code: DH92) (EKE5933)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at Diocesan House, Canterbury (Ref: DH92) (EKE6020)

Record last edited

Jun 14 2024 8:58AM