Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Some 31 Medieval rubbish pits, dating from the late 13th century to the early 15th century were excavated in the cellar area.

Monument Types

• PIT (Medieval - 1201 AD to 1500 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Between August and September 1945 the Canterbury Excavation Committee excavated on the site of the Countess of Huntingdon's chapel on the north side of Watling Street, 80 yards (c. 73m) from the Riding Gate.

The excavation was undertaken in an open cellar. The cellar was divided into two parts by a rasied platform of solid masonry towards the north end.

Evidence was seen of a deliberate raising of the ground surface in Roman times, probably to combat marshy conditions. Two streets were identified, the southern one on the same alignment as modern Watling Street and a northern converging with the southern one somewhere near the Riding Gate.
A wall from a substanial Roman building, erected in the late 1st century, was also revealed running north south across the area between the two streets. It had been reduced to its foundation the 2nd-3rd century.

Some 31 Medieval rubbish pits, dating from the late 13th century to the early 15th century were excavated in the cellar area.

Williams, A., 1948, Canterbury Excavations in 1945 (Article in serial). SKE30282.

Andrews, G., 1985, The Archaeology of Canterbury: An Assessment (Unpublished document).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

Sources and further reading