Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

136 Medieval pits were found during the excavation, few were totally excavated due to time and safety constraints, at least to dated to the early Medieval period before the Norman Conquest. No buildings were found wihin the area dating prior to AD 1400 although at the extreme western end of the site two post-holes and a fragment of clay floor were uncovered.

Monument Types

• OCCUPATION SITE (Medieval to Unknown - 1101 AD)

Full description

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In 1978 The Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated upon the site of the present 12-16 Marlowe Arcade in advance of development.
Area MII had anumber of pre/early-Roman features including a roundhouse, structure B1, a bowl hearth, a wicker lined well, some gullies and a number of clay extraction pits. A pebbled surface, dating to between 70/80AD-100/110 AD, and parts of five rooms were located forming the south east corner of the St Margaret's Street Roman Baths complex. Building R4, a portico, was also investigated within area MII and surrounded the baths. The portico is believed to have been demolished around 300-320. Evidence of late and post-Roman 'dark earth' was only seen within the Roman portico as were four discrete areas of features relating to Anglo-Saxon activity.

There was a gap of approximately 500 years between this period and the robbing of the Roman walls in the twelfth century. 136 Medieval pits were found during the excavation, few were totally excavated due to time and safety constraints, at least to dated to the early Medieval period before the Norman Conquest. No buildings were found wihin the area dating prior to AD 1400 although at the extreme western end of the site two post-holes and a fragment of clay floor were uncovered. In plan the distribution of the pits appeared to reflect early Medieval robber trenches to the Roman walls of the baths and Portico. A well (1253) was also located, part of a wooden barrel framework was preserved as a lining to the well shaft.

In the early 15th century a two-roomed timber and masonry building (L6) was constructed on the south east area of the site, the structure was probably rebuilt at some time during the first half of the sixteenth century and possily lasted into the 19th century. Building L6 is thought to have functioned as a stable to the rear of an inn on the St Margaret's Street frontage. The area was extensively bombed on 1st June 1942 and much of this part of the city was destroyed, including the Fountain Hotel.

Frere, S. & Stow, S., Excavations along St Margaret's Street and in the Yard of the Rose Hotel (Unpublished document). SKE30129.

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

Blockley, K., Blockley, M., Blockley, P., Frere, S. and Stow, S., 1995, Excavations in the Marlowe Car Park and Surrounding Areas. Part 1: The Excavated Sites (Monograph). SKE29969.

Sources and further reading