Between January and June 1976 The Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated on the site of 78-79 Castle Street prior to redevelopment. The sitecode was CB/RI.
The site consisted of two open area excavations, in an area in close proximity to the known location of the Roman theatre. The earliest features were the hollows of probable pre-Roman dwellings, filled with a mass of associated pottery, bronze slag and some coins. Two parallel Roman wall foundations were also uncovered, probably of a colonnade facing NW onto an open gravel-surface courtyard. The purpose and function of the colannade was not determined during the excavation.
The remains of a large Roman street were also uncovered, aligned roughly SW to NE and to the NW of the colonnade, the use of which had lasted all of the Romano-British period. The street appeared to be aligned on the back of the Roman theatre and on its SE side were some large robber trenches which may be associated with the theatre. On the NW side of the street was a timber gutter and pavement of the later Romano-British period.

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

Tatton-Brown, T., 1977, 78-79 Castle Street, Canterbury (Article in serial). SKE30531.

Tatton-Brown, T., 1982, Potins and Other Iron Age Coins from Canterbury (Article in serial). SKE30507.

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.