Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The small trenches contained a notable and very deep sequence of archaeological deposits, including several unsuspected features. The earliest features were of the first century AD and had been truncated by subsequent clay quarries. A period of rubbish dumping followed the clay extraction.

Monument Types

• OCCUPATION SITE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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Between October 1978 and July 1980 The Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated four trenches around St Gabriels Chapel, located on the south side of Canterbury Cathedral. The work was undertaken prior to damp proofing work and was funded by the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral. The sitecode was STG79, trenches A-D.

The small trenches excavated proved to contain a notable and very deep sequence of archaeological deposits, including several entirely unsuspected features. The earliest features were of the first century AD and had been truncated by subsequent clay quarries. A period of rubbish dumping followed the clay extraction until a NE/SW aligned street was laid across the area, also during the Roman period.

During the first half of 3rd century AD a building was erected, partially over the road and this may have been a temple. Traces of an associated courtyard were also seen. The building soon fell into disuse and its stone was robbed, a large pit was also dug within one of its rooms.

Andrews, G., 1985, The Archaeology of Canterbury: An Assessment (Unpublished document).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

Driver, J. C., Rady, J., Sparks, M., 1990, Excavations in the Cathedral Precincts, 2 Linacre Garden, 'Meister Omers' and St Gabriel's Chapel. (Monograph). SKE29781.

Sources and further reading