In summer 1952 two trenches, coded CXXIIJ, were dug in the deep cellar of 3 Palace Street by The Canterbury Excavation Committee. Remains of three successive Belgic houses were found, and above them was an area of gravel metalling bordered by a large Roman building. The gravel was interpreted as a street running from SW to NE, and to be heading for the North Gate. At the time it was believed that this street, although here a few yards west of the direct line, represented the main street of the city directly linking the north and the south town gates. However it is now known that there was no direct line between these two gates and the metalling may therefore have had some other function.

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