Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The excavation revealed traces of Medieval streets, pits and associated building

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Medieval - 1001 AD to 1100 AD)
• PIT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Medieval - 1001 AD to 1100 AD)
• ROAD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Medieval - 1001 AD to 1100 AD)

Full description

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In September and October 1967 J. H. Williams excavated land at the corners of Gravel Walk and Rose Lane and Gravel Walk and St George's Lane, a temporary car park. The work was undertaken for the Canterbury Excavation Committee and the Department of the Environment prior to the construction of a multi-storey car park.

The excavations revealed occupation on the site from soon after the Roman conquest. Although there was much pottery of Belgic character, no group could definately be assigned to the pre-conquest period. Timber and stone buildings of first- and second-century date were revealed at both ends of the site but, although third and fourth-century material was recovered, no structures could be assigned to that period. Furthermore, it is clear that no Roman street ran across the site along the projected line. No Medieval structures were found, although several rubbish pits, predominently of eleventh-century date were recorded. Several coins, thought to originate from this site were found at the site of the Sturry Tip. <ref 593>

An evaluation was commissioned by Land Securities Plc in advance of the proposed development within the area of Whitefriars.
The evaluation commenced in 1995 and extended into 1996, the site code was WFE95. 17 trenches and 4 boreholes were dug, trenches 9-14 were abandoned prior to full excavation. All the excavation trenches, except trench I, yielded interesting archaeological remains. This indicates that the redevelopment of the 1950-60s has left 'islands' of relatively undisturbed stratigraphy. The earliest deposits and features exposed at or above the level of the brickearth were deposits of pre- and early Roman agricultural topsoil, whilst a small group of Late Iron Age pits was examined in trench X. Subsequent Roman development was also encountered. 'Dark Earths' were found in many of the trenches and part of an early Anglo-Saxon building was found in trench XV.

Medieval garden loams and traces of early to late Medieval buildings were observed in trenches XV, VIII/IX, XVB and XIVA. A cellared building, possibly forming part of a monastic service range was found in trench XVIIA. Two of the four boreholes cut in Whitefriars yard (iii and iv) encountered a substantial masonry wall, possibly part of Whitefriars church.

In 2001 The Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated on a site to the south west of north end of Gravel Walk. The work was funded by Land Securites plc. and was during redevelopment of the area. The excavation revealed traces of Roman timber and masonry buildings as well as a Medieval street and associated buildings. The boundary wall of the friary was located as was associated garden soil. The south west corner of the friary was also seen.

Pettifer, R. E., 1970, Kent Archaeological Review 18 (Article in serial). SKE30695.

Williams, J. H. et al, 1975, Excavations at Gravel Walk, Canterbury, 196 (Article in serial). SKE30696.

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

Bennett, P. & Shand, G., 1997, Whitefriars and Watling Street Car Park (Article in serial). SKE30152.

Houliston, M., 1997, Whitefriars Evaluation Watling Street Car Park (Unpublished document). SKE30153.

Houliston, M., 1997, Whitefriars Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE30154.

Houliston, M., 2002, Pers Comm Mark Houliston (Unpublished document). SKE30156.

Sources and further reading