TR 13995829. Roman and Saxon burials were discovered during February and March 1982. Machine-cut foundation trenches for a new building, on the corner of London Road and Prince's Way brought to light 53 Roman cremation burials and a number of early Saxon finds including a very fine early 7th century gold pendant (see illustration card). The Roman burials dated from the late 1st to mid 3rd centuries and a large v-shaped ditch running parallel and 5m south of London Road may have been a cemetery boundary. A possible Ustrinum (funerary pyre) was noted. The Saxon material, dating from the 7th century, consisted of a possible cremation burial with two glass palm cups, and two reused Roman vessels. A small burnt feature, possibly the remains of a second cremation, contained a sceatta. An inhumation burial and a possible robbed grave containing an inlaid gold filigree brooch were also found. These finds indicate the presence of a middle Saxon cemetery attached to an earlier Roman cemetery. (1)

Watching brief undertaken in 1993 at 66 London Road, Canterbury uncovered a complete Roman vessel (TR 15 NW 604). The fact that the vessel was complete untill damaged by machine, may indicate that it originally belonged to the burial group, recorded at Cranmer House and the area at 66 London Road could form part of an open space within the Roman-Saxon cemetery. (2)

<1> The Arch of Canterbury 8 1987 56-73 plans (S Frere P Bennett J Rady and S Stow) (OS Card Reference). SKE50050.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1993, Watching brief at 66 London Road, Canterbury (Unpublished document). SKE8090.