An evaluation was commissioned by G. K. N. Scaffolding prior to the proposed development at Hospital Lane. The evaluation was carried out in May 1994 and the site code was HL94. Three evaluation trenches were excavated in the area of the scaffolding yard. There was an intact Roman and early post-Roman deposit sequence extending across the site at a depth of approximately 1.45m. These deposits were sealed by a thick band (1.13m) of loamy soil. Ceramic and cartographic evidence suggested this soil had accumulated during a protracted period of cultivation extending into the modern period.

In the western part of the site the evaluation showed the stratigraphic sequence had been subject to only minimal disturbance. A 'dark earth', a soil resulting from organic accumualtion during late Roman and early post-Roman periods of desertion. Underlying this was a Roman rubble deposit of compact suface which was cut by two features in the area exposed in trench C. These, a large post hole and a partially exposed unidentified steep-sided feature, along with associated ceramic material, provided strong evidence of early Anglo-Saxon activity on the site.

The steep-sided feature discussed above extended down to the level of a well-compacted band of gravels and flints. Lying on the flat upper surface of this was a scatter of horizontally aligned fragments of Roman roof tile. The stratigraphic position and the manner of construction of this gravel and flint band strongly indicated it was part of a Roman courtyard possibly associated with the Roman building discussed above.

Allen, T., 1994, The G. K. N. Scaffolding Yard, Hospital Lane, Canterbury. An Archaeological Evaluation (Excavation archive). SKE30800.