In 1980 The Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated upon the site of the present 1-2 Marlowe Arcade prior to redevelopment. The sitecode was MIV and the work was undertaken prior to development.

The earliest features seen on the excavated area dated to the late first century BC to c. AD 70/80. They consisted of elements of two lengths of curved ditches, possibly enclosing a nucleus of Belgic settlement. A number of stakeholes and post holes were also uncovered suggesting the presence of structures (B2).
In the period c. AD 70/80-100/110 a large pit was dug within the area, probably as a quarry, and left open. Two gullies were also found and the backfill suggested they too had been left open and had refilled gradually with rubbish, they are thought to have functioned as boundary ditches.

This record represents the surviving section of the middle curving ditch between MI & MIV of three such ditches on-site.

Blockley, K., Blockley, M., Blockley, P., Frere, S. and Stow, S., 1995, Excavations in the Marlowe Car Park and Surrounding Areas. Part 1: The Excavated Sites (Monograph). SKE29969.