Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A small excavation in 1982 carried out between the north-east transept of the Cathedral and the undercroft of the Prior's Chapel revealed the massive foundation of the north-east transept and an earlier large wall foundation which perhaps relates to the first Norman cathedral erected by Lanfranc (1070-1077). Earlier features included Roman occupation layers and a 7th to 8th century courtyard possibly associated with the Saxon Cathedral.

Monument Types

• DITCH (DITCH, Roman - 67 AD to 399 AD)
• PIT (PIT, Roman - 67 AD to 399 AD)
• COURTYARD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 600 AD to 799 AD)
• DRAIN (DRAIN, Medieval - 1170 AD to 1539 AD)
• WALL (WALL, Medieval - 1170 AD to 1539 AD)

Full description

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(TR 15135795 sited from maps authority 2) Roman and medieval finds were discovered during August 1982 when a small excavation was carried out between the north-east transept of the Cathedral and the undercroft of the Prior's chapel, before the construction of deep foundations for a new liftshaft for the disabled. Features excavated from the Roman period dated to between the late- first and early-second century to the late-third and fourth centuries and consisted of rubbish pits, a series of fence-lines and a ditch all running approximately north-east/south-west. A second or early third century wall were also discovered as was a courtyard of the 7th-8th century relating to the Saxon Cathedral. The main discoveries were of Norman date and included the massive foundation of the north-east transept (c1096) and an earlier large wall foundation running approximately north-south, which perhaps relates to the first Norman Cathedral erected by Lanfranc from 1070-77. Parts of the famous priory waterworks system were also found. These consisted of two storm drains, which ran east-west across the site. One of these possibly the earlier and probably of a mid twelfth century date, was cut by foundations of the prior's chapel, constructed c1200. The two drains were replaced by a larger much renovated partially brick drain, probably dating to the very late medieval period originally but still in use up until the start of the excavation. (1) Additional bibliography. (2-3)

<1> CAT Ann Rep 1982-3 19 (J Rady) (OS Card Reference). SKE38664.

<2> The Arch of Cant; An Assessment 1985 78 128-9 160-161 (G Andrews) (OS Card Reference). SKE50030.

<3> Arch Cant 98 1982 233 (J Rady) (OS Card Reference). SKE36315.

Sources and further reading

Related records