Roman pits, timber structure, iron smelting and a medieval building were revealed between May 1946 and March 1948 when excavations were carried out under the auspices of the Canterbury Excavation Committee,by J Boyle and F Jenkins, on the site of No 47 Burgate Street (TR 15035781, OS 1:1250, 1972). The earliest occupation appeared to be pre-Roman. The earliest features were a pre-Flavian hearth and a number of Flavian pits. A timber structure was erected over a clay dump which sealed the Flavian pits. This structure was associated with a gravel track, and both seem to have gone out of use in the mid 2nd century. Occupation on the site continued into the 4th century as a number of dumped clay deposits, pits, hearths and other features show. A well contained fragments of hand-made burnished pottery thought by the excavator to be late Roman. The latest Roman level, of very late 4th century date, was a block clinker-like deposit containing many lumps of iron slag. The presence of this residue of iron smelting may mean that an industry was carried out in the vicinity, although no furnace was found. During excavation at the rear of the premises Roman road metalling was located, which is in line with road metalling found by Frere east of Longmarket (TR15NE/260). This road had gone out of use by the late 4th century as it was sealed by a deposit of black clinker similar to that found within the cellar. (1-2)

<1> Arch Cant 63 1950 82-118 plans photos illust (F Jenkins) (OS Card Reference). SKE35366.

<2> The Arch of Cant An Assessment 1985 87-88 167 (G Andrews) (OS Card Reference). SKE50000.