Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Towards the southern end of Bench Street and to the rear of the Crypt Restaurant site evidence for Norman occupation was uncovered during work associated with the A20 road and sewer scheme. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• CESS PIT (Norman cess pits, Medieval - 1075 AD? to 1175 AD?)

Full description

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Towards the southern end of Bench Street and to the rear of the Crypt Restaurant site evidence for Norman occupation was uncovered during work associated with the A20 road and sewer scheme. The evidence consisted of numerous rubbish pits cut into the natural sands. No certain structural remains were apparent and there was no evidence for the documented fire of 1066. The pits produced pottery datable to the period c. A.D 1075-1175 and contained large quantities of well-preserved fish remains. The general absence of structural remains, however, indicated that this region was not a settlement area but merely waste land convenient for burying rubbish. The occurrence of rubbish pits under the line of Bench Street itself, together with the general absence of early road metalling here indicates that this street had not yet come into existence at this point. (Taken from source) (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Dover Sewers/A20 Project 1991–3, Assessment Report and Updated Project Design (Unpublished document). SKE31815.

Sources and further reading