Monument record TR 15 NE 1585 - Roman Kiln, Market Way

A watching brief and rescue excavations were undertaken by Frank Jenkins, from December 1952 until March 1953 during the construction of a road to the new Cattle Market, remains having been noted by a Mr Jarvis of Staplehurst.

The mechanical levelling of ground prior to the construction of the approach road (now Market Way) to the new cattle market off the east side of St Stephen's Road in December 1952 led to the discovery and excavation of a large Roman tile kiln and two Roman pottery kilns. The site lay on the north side of the river Stour, on gently rising ground. Brickearth extended across the whole of the excavated area.

Area I included the large tile kiln (centred TR 1502158790) which was subject to complete excavation during early 1953 excavation trench. Tile was scattered over the original ground surface for some distance to the north (centred TR 1503258800) and east (centred TR 150298785). Little pottery was recovered from the site. Finds consisted mainly of building tiles, including a few pieces of flue tile and also some near complete examples of pilae. Four post holes were interpreted as a lean-to. One of the post holes was cut by a later Roman pit. On the north-east side and 22.9cm. from the centre of the tile kiln, a small pottery kiln was also excavated. Pottery recovered comprise mainly wasters all in the same fabric, but no complete vessels were found. A few sherds of samian ware were also recovered from the site, but not from the kiln. The position of the tile and pottery kilns indicates these were contemporary. Both were left derelict for some time before being levelled off, with the pottery kiln being used for rubbish after levelling. The whole area was covered by a thick layer of burnt daub. The levelling of the kilns probably occurred in c. late 2nd/early 3rd century, on the basis of the date of the associated samian pottery. The kilns appear to have been active between c. 130-140 AD.

Area II included the site of a second pottery kiln (TR 1507758822) which was located 70 yards ENE of the tile kiln, close to the earlier discoveries of Roman tile made (at TR 1508058817) in about 1940. Pottery recovered from the kiln and stoke-hole comprised two groups, of Belgic date (native forms) and Roman pottery which included flagons of mid 1st century, Claudian/Neronian date at latest, c. 54-79 AD. The stake-hole was cut by a small pit or post hole, of possible late Roman date, after the kiln was abandoned. Other finds in Area II included a pit and Roman tile (at TR 1507058816) and about 35-40m ENE, Two tile waster pits were also located (at TR 1510258848 and TR 1510658837)

The excavation of the tile and pottery kilns was carried out under the auspices of the Canterbury Excavation Committee, directed by F. Jenkins, assisted by John Boyle and Paul Woodfield. The precise dates of excavation have not been determined, the Royal Museum Canterbury accession register and RM file G750/R/CANT referring to excavation on 4 March 1953. The investigations included archaeomagnetic dating of the kilns.

Cross, R., North Lane Area Archaeological Events Record. File 2. (Monograph). SKE30540.

Jenkins, F., 1956, A Roman Tilery and Two Pottery Kilns at Durovernum (Canterbury) (Serial). SKE30539.

Cook, R. M. & Belshé, J. C., 1958, Archaeomagnetism: A Preliminary Report on Britain (Serial). SKE30538.