Archaeological evaluation at the site in 1992 revealed the presence of a large pit feature dating to the Roman period, alongside an undated post-hole, and the construction trench for a Roman wall. The pit was the deepest feature excavated, located 3.90m below the modern ground surface. The pit measured 1.60m NE-SW by 1.30m SE-NW; it was not fully excavated therefore its depth is unknown. Within its fills, the pit contained oyster shells, carbon flecks, animal bone, slag, and Roman pottery (2nd-3rd century) and tile (imbrex). The fills of the pit are thought to reflect two phases of activity at the site - the first potentially for clay extraction, the second associated with the major SW-NE road which ran 30m to the SE of the site in the early second century. This may indicate that the pottery sherds associated with the fills of the pit may relate to its secondary use as a rubbish pit after clay extraction had occurred during the first phase of occupation.
Brickearth extraction is thought to have occurred in the vicinity of the site during the Roman period.
The possible post-pit measured 0.40-m NE-SW by 0.68m NW-SE. The fill of the feature contained oyster shell, carbon flecks, Roman tile (tegula & imbrex), Roman wall plaster, and mortar.
A contruction trench and bedding for wall fabric for the Roman wall adjacent to the site was also present. This comprised a cut filled with two layers of gravel and flints, and overlain by another gravel layer, thought to have been used as bedding for the wall fabric. The features were associated with artefacts including pottery, tile, and animal remains. These structures are thought to date from the late 2nd or 3rd centuries. It is suggested that whilst there appears to have been an absence of early development in this area during the Roman period, the presence of features such as this may relate to industrial structures present from the 1st century onwards. (1)

Rady, J., 1987, Marlow Avenue and St John's Lane Sites (Monograph). SKE30486.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1992, An Archaeological Evaluation at 2 St John's Lane, Canterbury (Excavation archive). SKE30487.