Monument record MKE93007 - Roman Pit, Watling Street

Summary

The natural subsoil as overlain by a peaty deposit, seen in the base of a pit, probably Roman in date and thought to be a result of brickearth quarrying. A series of loam and mortar tips lay above the peat, of Roman date and presumably deliberately deposited to infill and level the pit. A Saxon pit was also found in Trench I as well as one of probable Medieval date.

Location

Grid reference TR 1482 5761 (point)
Map sheet TR15NW
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

In April 1950 three cellars fronting onto Watling Street, east of its junction with St Margaret's Street and west of Rose Lane were excavated. The excavation was coded CXVI A, B and C.

Cellar A lay on the south side of the street, whilst cellars B and C lay on the north.

Two trenches were excavated in Cellar A. Trench I was at the northern end and the natural subsoil as overlain by a peaty deposit, seen in the base of a pit, probably Roman in date and thought to be a result of brickearth quarrying. Earlier pits were present in Trench II. A series of loam and mortar tips lay above the peat, of Roman date and presumably deliberately deposited to infill and level the pit. A Saxon pit was also found in Trench I as well as one of probable Medieval date. Trench II was very disturbed by modern features, the only archaeological features were a post-hole adjoining a Belgic pit, and a second pit containing Roman sherds.

Cellar B as investigated by the excavation of three small trenches. In Trench I was a Saxon pit and a further four pits were found in Trench II, two were of Roman date whilst two were Medieval. Three Roman pits were found in Trench III.

A single small trench was dug in Cellar C and was found to be very disturbed by modern drains. However, overlying a deposit of dark charcoally occupation earth which yeilded Belgic pottery sherds, was a loam floor of Roman date was seen in the north end of the trench covered by occupation material.


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

Sources/Archives (1)

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

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: Watling Street (Ref: CAT: 115) (EKE13800)

Record last edited

May 11 2015 2:13PM