Monument record TR 15 NW 107 - Roman Theatre, Watling St, Canterbury

Summary

Remains discovered in 1868 were identified and interpreted as the site of the theatre following excavations by the Canterbury Excavation Committee in 1950-56 at 3 St Margaret's Street. The theatre was of two periods and was in existence by AD100. The theatre was completely remodelled on a classical plan cAD210-26. The two outer walls of this theatre were found, divided by a corridor floored with opus signinum, 9ft wide. The entire surviving structure was of flint with tile courses, but there is evidence to suggest that the superstructure was of stone. Some details of the substructure were recarved, including the foundations of a possible staircase and of walls which supported the seating above. The theatre had probably been demolished by the middle of the 12th century. Foundations of part of the Cavea, which supported the theatre's banked seating and a section of an opus signinum floor which was originally part of curved walkway was found during excavations in the back garden of No 25 Watling Street in 1987.

Location

Grid reference TR 1480 5765 (point) FCE
Map sheet TR15NW
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> Arch 43 1 1871 151-164 (S Pilbrow) (OS Card Reference). SKE34411.

<2> The Arch of Cant: An Assessment 1985 109 110 (G Andrews) (OS Card Reference). SKE50009.

<3> Brit 1 1970 83-113 (S Frere) (OS Card Reference). SKE38291.

<4> Canterbury's Arch 1987-88 4-5 plan drawing (P Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE38566.

<5> Arch Cant 100 1984 52-3 (P Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE34545.

<6> JRS 47 1957 225 (OS Card Reference). SKE45105.

<7> Arch NL 3 1950-1 151 (SS Frere) (OS Card Reference). SKE36790.

<8> Arch N L 4 1951-53 26 (SS Frere) (OS Card Reference). SKE36779.

<9> Roman Canterbury 1957 9 (S Frere) (OS Card Reference). SKE49328.

<10> CAT Annual Report, 1986-7. (OS Card Reference). SKE38706.

<11> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1990, Canterbury's Archaeology 1988-1989, pages 3-4 (Monograph). SKE6722.

Sources/Archives (11)

  • <1>XY OS Card Reference: Arch 43 1 1871 151-164 (S Pilbrow). [Mapped feature: #43680 Theatre, ]
  • <2> OS Card Reference: The Arch of Cant: An Assessment 1985 109 110 (G Andrews).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: Brit 1 1970 83-113 (S Frere).
  • <4> OS Card Reference: Canterbury's Arch 1987-88 4-5 plan drawing (P Bennett).
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 100 1984 52-3 (P Bennett).
  • <6> OS Card Reference: JRS 47 1957 225.
  • <7> OS Card Reference: Arch NL 3 1950-1 151 (SS Frere).
  • <8> OS Card Reference: Arch N L 4 1951-53 26 (SS Frere).
  • <9> OS Card Reference: Roman Canterbury 1957 9 (S Frere).
  • <10> OS Card Reference: CAT Annual Report, 1986-7..
  • <11> Monograph: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1990. Canterbury's Archaeology 1988-1989. pages 3-4.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (6)

  • Intrusive Event: 3 ST MARGARET'S STREET (SITE CXVI XX D) (Ref: EI 15470) (EKE4303)
  • Intrusive Event: 5 ST MARGARET'S STREET (Ref: EI 36465) (EKE4609)
  • Intrusive Event: 5-6 ST MARGARET'S STREET (Ref: EI 36493) (EKE4622)
  • Intrusive Event: 77 CASTLE STREET (Ref: EI 36373) (EKE4574)
  • Intrusive Event: CASTLE STREET (Ref: EI 36365) (EKE4568)
  • Intrusive Event: WATLING STREET/CASTLE STREET (Ref: EI 36430) (EKE4599)

Related Thematic Articles (1)

Record last edited

Feb 11 2022 12:09PM