Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Many of the medieval and later levels had been destroyed, but in two trenches a considerable depth of medieval and later stratification survived.

Monument Types

• OCCUPATION SITE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Unknown - 1001 AD)

Full description

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An excavation was carried out to the rear of 25 St. George's Street (Sites CXVN, CXX-CXXIV) between 1949 and 1951-53.

Many of the medieval and later levels had been destroyed, but in two trenches a considerable depth of medieval and later stratification survived. The late Saxon occupation layer was sealed by a sequence of medieval structures the earliest of which were of 11th century date indicating that from the Norman period onwards the east side of Canterbury Lane was occupied by houses. The lane was probably established at that time. The buildings must all have been timber framed, as no traces of masonry were found. Probably early in the 14th century a well was dug at the back of the buildings at the bottom of which were found almost 100 pitchers. Many pits produced 11th to 14th century pottery were also dug in the area.

At the end of the medieval period the first of two masonry buildings was erected on the site. The front wall adjoined Canterbury Lane which was certainly now, if not previously, in ecxistance. Unusually the property boundary was not maintained by the second, 18th century, structure.

Frere, S. S and Stow, S., 1983, Excavations in the St. George's Street and Burgate Street Areas. (Monograph). SKE29967.

Andrews, G., 1985, The Archaeology of Canterbury: An Assessment (Unpublished document).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

Sources and further reading