A watching brief was carried out in April, 1987 whilst foundations were laid for the construction of a southern extension to the Professional Development Centre, Canterbury Christ Church College. The site code was CCCIV

The watching brief produced evidence for activity in the area during the middle Anglo-Saxon period, perhaps associated with a small secular settlement existing just north of the precincts of St Augustine's Abbey. The watching brief recorded pits containing metalworking debris and 8th-to-9th century AD pottery. Also, a pattern of Medieval linear features was observed: shallow ditches aligned north/south, perhaps defining the edges of fields.

5 sherds of early medieval pottery found (AD 1050-1250). 4 sherds of Medieval pottery (AD 1250-1375). No further information on context.(3)

"Anglo - Saxon occupation in the area appears to have had its origins in the early seventh century, though it may predate the arrival of Augustine and his mission. Material dating to the seventh century has been produced, but it is not until the period A.D. 750 to 850 that substantial, and wide spread, occupation is revealed… The settlement appears similar to those at Barking (Webster and Bakehouse 1991:88-94), Brandon (Suffolk) (Carr et al. 1988), and Jarrow (Cramp 1969), where monastic involvement in production and trade has been identified. At St Augustine’s this involvement is reinforced by evidence from one of the early charters associated with the Abbey (Kelly 1995, no. 8). Trading links are demonstrated by the large quantities of Ipswich Ware recovered from the site, though no substantial evidence for trade with other English or continental centres was recovered." (3)

"The evidence suggests that the settlement expanded throughout the eighth century to reach its zenith in ninth century. The college campus may lie on the perimeter of a large Anglo-Saxon settlement site called Nordholm, first referred to in 1283 and still represented by the modern North Holmes Road which forms the northern boundary to the college complex." (4)

Anderson, I. & Bennett, P., 1987, Christ Church College (Article in serial). SKE30545.

<3> Hicks, Martin and Houliston, Mark, 1999, Archaeological Excavations at Canterbury Christ Church College. Assessment report on excavations conducted between 1983-1996 (Unpublished document). SKE31574.

<4> Hicks, Martin, 1996, Archaeological Excavations at Canterbury Christ Church College. Assessment Report on Excavations conducted between 1983-1995 (Unpublished document). SKE31570.