In 1979 the Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated within the Mint Yard of Christ Church Priory in advance of the construction of a new structure for the King's School. The sitecode was MY79.

The earliest layers were peat and river silts containing late Iron Age and early Roman pottery, possibly accumulated when this area was marsh or water meadow. A row of large post holes, on the same approximate alignment as the street, may represent an early Saxon boundary. A quantity of grass-tempered sherds and a Saxon bead necklace found in these levels suggest a 7/8th century date.

Four possible boundary ditches, at rough right angles to the fence, cut through the early Saxon levels, and may represent a later Saxon division of the area. A layer of black soil containing Saxo-Norman material sealed these features and deposits and in turn were cut by a number of 11/12th century pits. It is likely that the aera was open ground when thses were dug. Clay and loam sealed this level, possibly resulting from the construction of the Aula Nova and Christ Church gate (c. 1160). It is possible that overlaying these constrcution levels were built some timber framed, clay-floored properties, however conclusive evidence of such structures had been disturbed in recent times. Also associated with this phase was a stone-lined drain and a large u-shaped ditch.

Sealing these ephemeral structure traces were the remains of the early 14th century Almonry Chapel, demolished in 1859. No original floor levels survived and the remaining foundations had been badly disturbed by modern service trenches. The walls and floors were probably removed when the chapel was converted into a school in 16th century.

Bennett, P., 1980, The Mint Yard Site (Article in serial). SKE30219.