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 undercrofts dating from the late 12th to 15th centuries were also exposed. The earliest structure was of was of late 12th century date. This was overlain by a mortared chalk block built wall of 14th century date. A number of human bones recovered by the contractor are believed to have been connected with a pit or grave under the late medieval floor of the building cutting through the late Roman levels. 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. This had been cut by a construction pit for a stone building c. 1200 AD. Levelling deposits and gravelling for Medieval Burgate were also idetified as were modern deposits and services.

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

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

Andrews, G., 1985, The Archaeology of Canterbury: An Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE30429.

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