(TR 15135769) A Roman building, Saxon floor, medieval building pits along with Post-medieval pits were revealed when an extensive excavation programme was carried out between 1949 and 1955 on the east side of Canterbury Lane (see also TR 15 NE/253). The earliest occupation was Roman and consisted of several buildings. A timber-framed building, built cAD100 was reconstructed in the mid second century and later destroyed by fire. A second clay walled building built cAD210-222, with at least seven rooms, was destroyed by fire cAD290. In the fourth century, a new building or buildings were erected on the site, but little of them survived later disturbance. They were destroyed in the early fifth century. The area then lay open and a thick deposit of black soil accumulated. A number of pits were dug from time to time in the fifth century when the area was under cultivation. These levels were sealed by a late Saxon gravel floor overlain by material dated cAD850-950. A large Saxon pit was found and loomweights were found on the main gravel floor which measured 18.9mx20.1m. Between the eleventh and fourteenth century many pits, producing much pottery were dug in the area. Medieval structures were also found. A well containing 65 complete jugs, mostly fourteenth century handled pitchers was excavated together with sherds from forty other jugs. At the end of the medieval period the first masonry building was erected on the site, probably fifteenth century in date. A later building was constructed on the site, possibly in the eighteenth century. (1)

<1> The Arch of Cant 7 1983 81-100 (S Frere and S Stow) (OS Card Reference). SKE49976.