A watching brief was undertaken in March 1950 by Frank Jenkins during the construction of a block of flats between Nos. 16-24 Burgate Street.

The absence of any evidence for Roman structures was interpreted as indicating that the area was kept as open space during the Roman period.

Beneath the sites of Nos. 17 and 18 Burgate Street four stake-holes ranging from 1ft 6in to 3ft deep were seen in the surface of the natural brickearth, and at 10ft from ground level. From the labourers descriptions these holes suddenly appeared in the natural surface. In consequence they seem to be of early date, and were possibly Belgic, for traces of Belgic huts have been found on the south side of the street opposite this site.

Gardiner, D., 1950, Minutes of a General Committee Meeting Held at Cogan House on Wednesday August 2nd 1950 (Unpublished document). SKE30504.

Bowley, C., 1996, St Martins Churchyard Project (Unpublished document). SKE30505.