A number of mid to late Anglo-Saxon features were recorded, mainly comprising rubbish and cess pits. A number of post holes and four intercutting linear ditches were also found, though no structures were indicated. Significant quantites of ironworking slag and and other traces of metalworking were found in many of these features indicating at least industrial occupation of the area.

The Anglo-Saxon features were sealed by an agricultural soil containing pottery ranging in date from the Bronze Age through to the 12th century. Cutting the soil were many pits and post holes indicating pre-Abbey activity of indeterminate nature. A track was found that they have related to this activity, aligned parallel with North Homes Road and cut by features dating to 13th century, including rubbish pits and a limekiln. To the north of this track was a 1.2m deep ditch, possibly an early boundary against North Holmes Road, which remained open until at least the 16th century.

216 sherds of Anglo-Saxon pottery was found, including 156 Middle Saxon coarse ware, 19 Ispwich ware, 1 Late Saxon coarse ware, and 7 Late Saxon imports (2 and 3).

26 sherds of early medieval pottery (AD 1050-1250) were also found (2)

An assemblage of metal working debris was found in pits. 932 items. Plus 509 items classfied as 'Early Medieval' - 'mid-to-late 11th century' - and 52 as 'Medieval'.

"A considerable volume of ironworking debris was retrieved from the excavations conducted between 1983 and 1995. Broadly catalogued as slag, this material actually consists of a variety of industrial elements, which include smelting and smithing slag, cinder, hearth bottom, hearth lining and fuel ash slag, as well as hammerscale." (3)

"The brow tine of a small red deer antler from the Squash Courts excavation has been sharpened, and the object may have served as a stamp for ceramics or leather. Antler stamps are known from a variety of sites, including the monasteries of Hartlepool and Jarrow" (3)

"A small ‘hoard’ of three knives and part of a hooked object from a chatelaine came from the Squash Courts site. The latter object can be compared with a similar example from Fishergate in York" (3)

"An Anglo-Saxon stylus came from the Squash Courts excavation, and further stylii of this date have come from excavations at St Augustine’s Abbey. These attest to literacy, and such objects are generally confined to monasteries at this time, and have not been found at pre-Viking trading centres." (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. Evidence is spread across most of the campus area, having been found on all seventeen sites; to date at least one hundred and fifty waste pits of the period have been identified. The pits contain the evidence for large scale iron working and other craft activities, but also for domestic occupation, an indication that habitation accompanied the industrial activities undertaken at the site. 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)." (2)

"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." (3)

Jarman, C., 1997, Christ Church College (Article in serial). SKE30357.

<2> Hicks, Martin and Houliston, Mark, 1999, Archaeological Excavations at Canterbury Christ Church College. Assessment report on excavations conducted between 1983-1996 (Unpublished document). SKE31574.

<3> Hicks, Martin, 1996, Archaeological Excavations at Canterbury Christ Church College. Assessment Report on Excavations conducted between 1983-1995 (Unpublished document). SKE31570.