An evaluation was commissioned in advance of the proposed redevelopment within Northgate car park. The evaluation was carried out in August 1993 and the site code was NG93.

The evaluation was undertaken in two phases. Phase one saw 4 trenches (A to D) mechanically excavated in the NE half of the car park, once completed phase 2 commenced with trenches E to H being mechanically excavated in the SW half of the site.

All 8 trenches produced a soil sequence and a range of features indicative of a long history of occupation. The earliest, and perhaps most significant, feature revealed was a substantial Roman ditch located in trench E. This contained pottery of a second and third century date and was interpreted as a side drain for a Roman road. Significantly, no Roman burials or associated finds were recovered from this event reinforcing the theory that this area was not the site of a Roman cemetery. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1993, Northgate Carpark Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE30798.