A watching brief was undertaken by Canterbury Archaeological Trust during June 1984 at 44 Burgate whilst renovations were carried out.

6 trenches were dug in the cellar of the building exposing stratified deposits indicating the presence of a major NW-SE rammed gravel Roman street and a Roman timber building. Masonry walls associated with earlier cellars dating from the late 12th to 15th centuries were also exposed. The present part brick and part late Medieval chalk-block cellar underlies a substantially intact and 15th century timber-framed building. The pit measured 1.25m wide and 2m long.

A further pit was dug, in 1985, outside the north of the building for the purpose of strengthening the structure. During the associated watching brief Roman layers totalling 1.25 metres were exposed indicating the presence of at least 2 superimposed timber structures. The Roman deposits were sealed by a layer of black loam, indicating a period of abandonment.

Bennett, P., 1984, 44 Burgate (Article in serial). SKE30193.

Andrews, G., 1985, An Assessment. Gazetteer of Excavations. Prehistoric, Belgic and Roman Excavations (Monograph). SKE30006.

Bennett, P., 1985, Nos 41-44 Burgate and Nos 1-3 Butchery Lane (Article in serial). SKE30194.

Frere, S., Bennett, P., Rady, J., Stow, S., 1987, Excavations Intra- and Extra-mural Sites 1949-55 and 1980-84 (Monograph). SKE29800.