During the winter of 1945 and the Easter of 1946 the Canterbury Excavation Committee excavated within cellars on the south side of Butchery Lane prior to redevelopment of the bomb damaged site. The site code was CV and CVI, cellars A-G.
Cellar B revealed a raised surface, the reason for which became apparent when the gound quickly became waterlogged at a depth of 7.30m OD. Clean yellow loam had been used to raise the ground level. Three pits were seen to cut into this loam, all dating to the Roman period. Evidence for a Roman building was also seen in trench A and B and was dated to the late first century. The building was probably abandoned in the second half of the second century and it is theorised that it was cleared prior to the construction of a larger building in the close proximity.
In Trench C a substantial three phase building was seen with at least three phases of use dating between c. 100 AD and the 4th century AD. It was within this building that a fine tesselated pavement was discovered, c. 12m long and consisting of three mosaic panels. Two major disturbances of the pavement were noted, a pit, probably pre 5th century, had destroyed a corner of the northern most section whilst a hole had been dug against the south west wall of the room, probably as a soakaway. This proved to be the lower portion of an 18th century earth closet.

Further archaeological trenches were excavated from ground level to the south east of cellar C and more remains of the building were uncovered and indicated the building fell into ruins at some point in the 4th century. The site then appeared to lay empty until 13th century when it was used primarily for rubbish disposal which also served the purpose of levelling the site. During this period the upstanding fragments of wall were robbed for their stone. Many rubbish dating to this period were apparent.
In the second half of 17th century buildings were erected on the site, many of which stood until the 20th century clearance of the site.
In Cellars D and E further evidence of the pavement building was revealed including a hypocaust room and further walls as well as the skeleton of a small baby and many Medieval pits.
Cellars F and G were excavated hurriedly in 1946. Cellar G had been much disturbed in Medieval and modern times but cellar F contained some shallow post holes cut into the natural soil and pre-Roman Belgic pottery. Evidence of a Roman building was seen in both cellars, close to the frontage of the Parade. Although dating evidence was sparse it would seem that the building was in use in the 3rd and 4th centuries.

Frere, S. & Williams, A., 1949, Canterbury Excavations, Christmas 1945 and Easter 1946 (Article in serial). SKE29816.