During 1867-8 drainage operations, observed by James Pilbrow the City Engineer, a Roman inhumation was found. This was located near to the current St George's Roundabout formerly the site of a mound known as 'Salt Hill'. This was discovered 1.83m from the surface, a former surface was also found at a depth of 0.91m. The burial consisted of a lead coffin 1.42m in length; it was a decorated, and contained the remains of a girl of 12-13 years. The leaden coffin had by March 1868 been broken up and sold for scrap metal, though some of the ornamentation was retained by Pilbrow. (1,2)

Description from record TR 15 NE 74:
Roman lead coffin, Bridge Street. (1) [TR 15195762] A Roman lead coffin containing the remains of a girl was found on the site of an artificial mound, posssibly a Roman barrow. (2)

<1> Arch Cant 14 1882 35-6 (CR Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE34716.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1873, 1st edition map of Canterbury 1873 (Map). SKE30447.

<2> Arch Cant 61 1948 141-7 plan (W Urry) (OS Card Reference). SKE35320.

<2> Pilbrow, J., 1871, Discoveries made during excavations at Canterbury in 1868 (Serial). SKE30226.