Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Five Medieval pits were excavated during the excavation in the cellar. A fragment of a late Saxon or early Norman loom-weight was recovered from one of these pits.

Monument Types

• PIT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Full description

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In 1947 Frank Jenkins and John Boyle excavated on 5 Watling Street, a site adjoining Lady Huntingdon's Chapel. The earliest deposit appeared to relate to a gravel quarry, thought to be a source for road material. Found in the earliest deposit was a coin dating to C. 12BC-40AD.

An early Roman rubbish pit, dating to C. 80 AD, was uncovered as well as the east face of Roman footings, late 1st-early second centuries AD, the west side of which had been uncovered by Audrey Williams in the 1945 excavations (entry 534). It was confirmed that the structure had been erected in the early second century and was reduced to its footings in the late second century.
There was no structural evidence of 4th century on the site but many sherds of pottery dating to this period were found. A noteworthy find was a pipe-clay figurine of a goddess depiced as holding a small animal in her arms.
Coins of Claudius II, Constantine I and Valens were also found.

Five Medieval pits were excavated during the excavation in the cellar. A fragment of a late Saxon or early Norman loom-weight was recovered from one of these pits.

Jenkins, F, 1953, Untitled Source (Serial). SKE30699.

Andrews, G., 1985, The Archaeology of Canterbury: An Assessment (Unpublished document).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

Sources and further reading