Canterbury Excavations in Burgate Street 1946-8

CANTERBURY EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, 1946-8 By FRANK JENKINS DURING the period May 1946 to March 1948 excavations were carried out under the auspices of the Canterbury Excavation Committee, by John Boyle and Frank Jenkins, on the site of No. 47 Burgate Street where temporary shops now stand. This is situated on the south side of the street, about 40 feet from Butchery Lane on the west, and adjoining the entrance of the Long Market on the east, being about 210 yards from the site of the Bur Gate. The area available for excavation was roughly rectangular in shape and consisted of the high ground at the rear of the premises, and a ceUar fronting Burgate Street. For convenience of recording in this report these two divisions are retained, Site 1 being at present-day street level (c. 44 feet O.D., and Site 2 at 6 feet 3 inches below (c. 38 feet O.D.)). THE ROMAN PITS (SITE 2) PIT R I (Section 1) This was dug from level 1 and penetrated into the natural drift deposit to a depth of 6 feet. It was oval in shape and, so far as could be determined, more than 12 feet across its longest axis. The filling consisted of various dumpings of gravel, flint rubble, kitchen midden interspersed with layers of clean clay as seals, no doubt for sanitary reasons. A great variety of types of coarse pottery was mixed with this filling, the main bulk consisting of many fragments of large furrowed ware storage jars with distinctly Romanized rims, although some were of native roU rim types as at Bigbury Camp (cf. Ant. Journ., XVIII, pp. 174-5, Fig. 1). Samian ware was of use in obtaining an approximate dating for the filling. The pottery dated from Claudius to Vespasian (cf. Catalogue Samian ware) and may indicate that the pit was open in early Flavian times. P IT R II (Section 2) This was dug from level 1 and penetrated the natural drift deposit. It was only superficiaUy examined as most of the filling had been destroyed by a well of a later Roman period. Pottery types were similar to Pit R I, and suggested an early Flavian date. 1 The medieval section of this report is reserved for publication at a later date. 82 CANTERBURY 47 BURGATE ST ROMAN 5TREET METALLING MODS J;' WELL • \ XI CENTlWELL X X S S X X X MEDIEVAL CELLAR I XII CENT WALLS T MOD* WELL SITE_1 " SITE 2 "j 1 ^ R.FOOTINGS . . . t . . I \0VER4_ _^!MJi rJ r NH2i=K:RS H', :: • \ ROMAN WELL 10 20 30 • 40 FEET wnibr1^'1 . BURGATE STREET Era. 1 83 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY PIT RLU This also penetrated into the natural deposit from level 1, but owing to the fact that it lay under the Long Market and Burgate waUs only a few inches of the top filling could be examined. This consisted of soft black ash and oyster shells. Nothing of datable value was found, but the pit would appear to be contemporaneous with Pits R I and R JJ. PIT R IV (Section 2) Like Pits R I, R LI and R III, this pit was dug from level 1 and was of early Flavian date. The filling consisted of dirty clay, flints, ash and some pottery, mainly furrowed ware. One datable fragment was found, of Samian Form 29, having a straight wreath decoration typical of the work of Namus, a Tiberio-Claudian potter (cf. Arch. LXXVIII, Fig. 31 from London (Guildhall Museum)). PIT R V (Section 1) The top of this pit had been destroyed when the cellar was excavated, and had also been re-excavated in recent times and refilled with a rammed, compact mass of flints to support a modern wall. The Roman filling which remained, consisted of a very hard, compact lining of sooty black, clinker-like material containing lumps of iron slag. A few fragments of third century pottery were found in this filling and a worn radiate coin, probably of Tetricus I, which suggested that it was still open as late as the fourth century. PIT R VI (Section 3) This was similar in character to R V. Its upper part had been re-excavated in recent times for the same purpose and was lined with the same sooty black, clinker-like deposit, which incidentally is the demarcation between the latest Roman deposits and the medieval levels on this site. Pottery from the filling consisted of some first century fragments and three fragments of late fourth century Marne ware. These latter fragments are worthy of mention for, taking into consideration the homogeneous nature of the sooty deposit and that of the aforementioned level (level 5), they give some indication of the date when the pit was open. (This was proved after the completion of these excavations when the building contractors removed part of the rear wall of the cellar and revealed the stratification.) The finding of Marne ware in Canterbury adds one more site to the short hst of sites1 in southern Britain where this type of pottery is known. 1 Richborough, Lympne, Pevensey, Silchester, London, Margidunum and Abinger. 84 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY PIT R VII (Section 1) This intersected with R VI, and has also been cut off by the cellar floor. The filling consisted chiefly of soft, black ash containing kitchen rubbish and oyster sheUs. One illegible Roman coin and a small fragment of burnt Samian were found, but no datable objects to indicate at what period it was open ; since it was cut by RVI, it may be of slightly earlier date, probably fourth century. PIT R VIII No datable objects were found in this pit, the filling, in the main, consisting of building rubble. A gulley of broken tiles and brick, containing a few indeterminate fragments, led away from the bottom of the pit at the 2 foot 9 inch level, and a shght upward gradient towards the footings found at the rear of the cellar. It would appear that this was some form of soakaway, the exact purpose of which is not determined. It is reasonable to suppose that it was of Roman origin for the filling contained three of a series of post-holes first located in deposit No. 3 which was a Roman level, the stratification suggesting a third century date. PIT R IX This pit penetrated into the natural brick-earth to a depth of 8 feet from the cellar floor, cutting all levels. The filling consisted of soft black ash and a layer of burnt clay. The fragments of pottery recovered were all of Roman origin though not of sufficient size to enable a close dating. From its similarity to Pit R VII, it is presumed to be fourth century. PIT RX This contained many loosely packed flints, black ash and some Roman pottery. The only fragment worthy of mention was part of a Samian mortarium (Curie 21) of Antonine type c. A.D. 140-160, indicating that the pit was not disused much before the early third century. The homogeneous nature of the filling suggests that it was deposited all at one time. THE TIMBER STRUCTURE (SITE 2) Examination of the clay level over the mouth of Pit R I revealed that a timber structure had been erected over it. This was suggested by the number of nails found, which lay in parallel rows. The floor of this structure was of clay which had been laid down over a thick layer of many flints, forming a consolidation over the unstable filling of the large pit beneath. Only one post-hole, 3 inches in diameter, was found at the edge of this layer. At the extreme limit of the flints was 85 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY an oblong gulley fuU of clean yellow sand, which may have accommodated the sleeper beams, but no traces of timber were found in this. The pottery found in the debris of the hut was of Hadrianic-Antonine character, affording a date about the middle of the second century for its destruction. THE GRAVEL TRACKWAY (SITE 2) A gravel trackway was found to run diagonally across the ceUar at the 4 foot level (Sections 1 and 2). This is not in ahgnment with SITE 2 r 1130 PEET ::«RVII » ^ *• * BrN A "• • R. WELL ICRAVEL|£; TRACKWAYfe BURGATE T T n ^ _ . _ RV111 HUT STREET FIG. 2 Burgate Street, its western extremity being farther away from the modern roadway than its eastern end. It does not appear to have been a main road, its thickness varying between 4 and 6 inches, and in width only 9 feet. It consisted of a layer of rammed gravel overlying medium-sized flints. Pottery antedating the track proved to have been derived from the series of pits R I-IV ; thus the track had been laid down over the rubbish scattered around the mouths of these pits, and this would indicate a date in the first half of the second century. I t would appear that it went into disuse at about the same time as the hut was destroyed, as indicated by a number of nails in paraUel rows at its edge. Three sections were made across it and it was traced over a length of 17 feet. EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY THE HEARTHS. H.l (SITE 2, SECTION 3) In the western corner of the modern ceUar a series of four superimposed hearths was encountered, each sealed with a layer of clean clay, which had been baked to varying degrees of hardness. In some places this clay was baked to the texture of friable brick, and bright red to black in colour, while in others it was merely of the toughness of rubber, the natural colour being unchanged. The primary hearth was found to be on a layer of flints which lay in an oval depression in the Claudian level. One interesting feature was that at the time that the fire had died down the clay surrounding it had been scooped up and deposited over it as a seal—a necessary & MODERN — X J JRV ¥ RVII TRACKWAY SAND; ••eaoo^ T*1W m I R FCST ® S> .\W.'0-.^O„CT\\\\S \ \ \ u** Rl I'l Rl H2 wfi FIG. 3. Sections. Site 2 measure, for unattended fires at night would be a source of danger to the surrounding buildings of wood. Coarse pottery was in abundance. Samian ware, though not so plentiful, was all of Claudian character. The marks of Licinus and Ardacus were found here, " their authenticated stamps being found only on sites which on historical and other grounds are known to have been occupied in the first phase of the Claudian occupation of Britain."1 A pre-Flavian date is indicated for the primary and second hearths. The third and fourth hearths were sealed with dumped clay containing Samian which was no later than the time of Domitian. 1 Cf. T. Davies-Pryce in Ant. Journ., Vol. XVIII, p. 29 and also remarks in Wroxeter, III, p. 40. 87 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY THE HEARTHS, H.2 (SITE 2, SECTION 4) Adjacent to the hearths previously described was a mound of burnt material (H.2). This rubbish had also been burnt on clay hearths and evidently represented two consecutive fires with a negligible lapse of time between them. The presence of Claudio- Neronian Samian suggests that the rubbish was deposited in the mid-first century. On the surface of the grey-brown loam antedating the feature was a coin of Augustus (c. 22 B.C.), while resting on the surface of the natural brick-hearth was the base of a native pedestal vase, both hinting at pre-Roman occupation in the vicinity. THE SKELETON- (SITE 2, S ON PLAN) At a depth of 2 feet 9 inches beneath the modern cellar floor the skeleton of an infant child was found. It was lying on its left side in a crouched position with the head to the south. The deposit in which it lay was the dumped clay which contained many fragments of painted plaster, some being mixed with the bones. A close scrutiny of the surrounding clay failed to disclose any traces of a grave pit, thus it seems that the body was disposed of without any pretence of orthodox burial, at the time the clay was deposited. The presence of late- Antonine Samian ware at this level suggests that the infant died at the beginning of the third century. THE ROMAN WELL (SITE 2, SECTION 7) In the eastern half of the modern ceUar was a Roman weU, circular in shape with an internal diameter of c. 2 feet 6 inches and constructed of large blocks of chalk. The upper courses of the shaft had evidently been destroyed, either robbed for bunding material or fallen in, but it survived to within 1 foot of the original ground level, that is the surface of the dumped clay (3). This equated with the mouth of the pit in which the well-shaft was built. The pit was funnel-shaped at the mouth and the space between it and the shaft had originally contained a filling of rammed stony soil, which had sfited down when the upper courses were destroyed. The filling consisted mainly of bufiding debris and animal bones, and had sagged considerably leaving a cavity some 2 feet 6 inches in depth beneath the modern cellar floor. It was excavated to a depth of 15 feet where there was a lining of planks arranged in the form of a square with 2 feet 6 inch sides. Just above this were small square holes evidently inlets for the water. At this level the presence of water hampered operations and the work was finaUy abandoned because the rapid inflow could not be controlled by the available manual pumping gear. Evidently the well goes much deeper, for part 88 PLATE I ROMAN WELL [ face p. SS EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY of the shaft had faUen in before it had been filled, and these large blocks were not found. Despite this, however, enough evidence was obtained from the filling to indicate the date when the well was finaUy closed. The pottery from the upper filling was mainly of fourth century date. Fragments from this proved to be from the same vessels as those found scattered around the well mouth, namely hand-made cooking jars 10-42) 24-41] [11-36] KX [45-34! —i XS mi m w NAT r [20^ T4 [30-32 RVI / m • UNCXMWTED NATURAL INLETSa PLANKS mr COINS-M FIG. 4. Section 3. H I . Site 2 Section 7. Roman Well. Site 2 (Fig. 15). Additional evidence was provided by 16 identifiable coins ranging in date from Claudius I I (A.D. 268-70) to Gratian (A.D. 367-83). The lowest coin, 7 feet 6 inches down, was of the House of Constantine I. At 12 feet 6 inches were two very worn fragments of pottery, one from a Samian Form 45, and the other late fourth century Marne ware. This evidence coupled with that of the coins suggests that the weU was finaUy closed at the very end of the fourth century or even the early fifth. No doubt contemporary objects would have been found if the bottom of the well had been reached ; but as this was not achieved, the dating rests on the external evidence provided by the stratification. It was evident that the ground level contemporary with the well was the surface of deposit No. 3, which was dated as after A.D. 200 ; and as the well was sunk through this deposit a date in the first half of the third century is suggested for its construction. 89 12 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY SUMMARY OF COINS FROM ROMAN WELL. 41. 40. 35. 23. 24. 11. 22. 25. 36. 37. 34. 45. 20. Valens Valentinian I Constans Constantine I Constantine I Claudius II Constantine I House of Constantine I Constans Constans Constantius II Gratian Carausius A.D. 364-378 364-375 345-350 330-337 330-337 268-270 330-337 335-342 337-342 341-345 341-345 367-383 287-293 3AE 3AE 3AE 3AE 3AE Antoninianus 3AE 3AE 3AE 3AE 3AE 3AE Antoninianus Depth of 1' Depth of 2' Depth of 3' Depth of 5' 0" 0" 0" 6" 30. Crispus 320-324 3AB 32. Constantius or ! Depth of 6'6" Constans 345-361 3AE 28. House of Depth -.1' 7' 6" Constantine I 335-342 3AE Note : The coins are numbered as in the catalogue, see appended list. THE ROMAN STREET METALLING (SITE 1, SECTIONS 5 AND 6) At the rear of the modern premises, on Site 1, a large mass of packed gravel was found covering an area of more than 42 square yards, and resting on the first century deposit of greyish-brown loam. The depth at which it was found precluded any possibiUty that it was a natural deposit, for the surface of the feature was within 5 feet of present day ground level, and a few fragments of furrowed ware were found under it. It had been so cut into by a series of medieval rubbish pits, the footings of a twelfth century building and wells of medieval and recent date that the present ground plan bears little relation to the original and afforded no clue as to its original function. I t was taken for the gravel footings of a large and heavy building which had replaced the earher buUding (building 1) in Butchery Lane (Arch. Cant., LXI, 5-6, Fig. 4 ; Roman Canterbury No. 4, 7-8). What was taken to be the remains of a Roman tile course was found at one point on its surface. In 1950, however, a Roman road metalling in line with this gravel, 90 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY was found by Mr. Frere, east of the Long Market. By this time it was known that Roman streets could attain a thickness of weU nigh 5 feet, as was the case at the St. George's Street-Canterbury Lane site in 1949, a fact not appreciated at the time of this excavation. That it had gone out of use by the late fourth century is certain, for a black chnker-like deposit sealed those parts of its surface which were undisturbed by medieval intrusion. This deposit equated with one that was homogeneous throughout sites 1 and 2. It contained a coin of the House of Theodosius, probably Eugenius, A.D. 392-94, and quantities of fragmentary fourth century pottery. At the south side of the XVI-c XII © FLOOR <£E ROMAN STREET FtET ® XII - - W A L L J a^wi^^w FLOOR XII* WELL M2 ROMAN ^ 2 fc STREET V ^ FIG. 5. Sections through Roman Street. Site 1 excavated area a thin scatter of gravel covered a thin layer of greyish sand in which was found a few fragments of Samian pottery one of which was a Form 18 dish. The commencement of building operations prevented any further investigation being made, but trenching for a main drain from the Roman street towards Burgate Street revealed what may well be the edge of the gravel metalling 6 feet north of the excavated area. THE ROMAN FOOTINGS (SITE 2, SECTION 4) Footings which had once supported the corner of a building were found at the rear of the modern cellar on Site 2. They consisted of rammed gravel and medium-sized flints set in a trench, about 2 feet 6 inohes in width, which had been sunk into the dirty clay and clean 91 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY clay deposits (Section 4). On the surface of the dirty clay (4) was a coin of Salonina (c. A.D. 245). None of the later deposits remained at this point, but in the area enclosed by the footings were many loose red brick tesserse which may represent the original floor-level destroyed by the excavations for the modern cellar. Antedating the features were the hearths (H. 2), and the second century deposit, but as the upper levels contemporary with, and later than, the building had been cut away, its date cannot certainly be fixed. The main part hes under the higher ground between the rear of the cellar and the Roman street on Site 1, and no doubt further evidence would have been forthcoming if it had been possible to excavate this area, but at the time it was impracticable to do so. THE POST HOLES (SITE 2) In the dumped clay deposit which equated with the mouth of the Roman well a number of small post holes were found in alignment to suggest that they once contained the stakes of a fence. Nearby were two larger holes which did not appear to bear any relation to the others. A SUMMARY OP KEY DEPOSITS A satisfactory chronological sequence of the Roman deposits was found only on Site 2, for there they were reasonably undisturbed by later intrusions, such as medieval pits and foundations. Hereabouts the natural brick-earth hes at a depth of 11 to 12 feet below present-day street level (32-3 feet O.D.). On this old surface rested a fragment of the quoit-shaped base of a native pedestal urn, a possible hint of a pre-Roman occupation in the area. Overlying this was the Claudian deposit of greyish-brown loam (1) which varied in thickness from 6 to 9 inches. It was dated by coins of Claudius I and Augustus and Claudian Samian ware in quantity. The succeeding deposit was a build-up of yellow clay (2) which sealed the Flavian rubbish derived from the series of pits R I-IV inclusive and was dated by pottery of Trajan-Hadrian date. The next deposit of dumped clay (3) probably came from the excavation for the foundations of some building or buildings in the vicinity. It contained many fragments of painted wall-plaster, which had obviously been brought from a demolished house elsewhere, probably buUding 1, Butchery Lane, (Cellar A, Arch. Cant. LXI, 1-5 ; Roman Canterbury No. 4, p. 1 ff.). The presence of Antonine pottery and coins tends to suggest an early third century date for this deposit. On the surface of this dumped clay (3) was a coin of Salonina, c. A.D. 260, and late Antonine Samian and other pottery. The succeeding layer was of mixed greyish-brown soil (4) dated by many fragments of fourth century pottery and coins ranging in date from Galfienus to Gratian. Over this was a black clinker-like 92 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY deposit (5) containing many lumps of iron slag. The presence of this residue of iron smelting may mean that an industry was carried on in the vicinity, though it must be stated that no furnace was found. It was dated by a coin, probably of Eugenius, c. A.D. 390-4, the latest of the series of coins found on this site. The layer was covered by a very thin spread of hard grey clay which lay at a depth of c. 6 feet from present day ground level. This represented the upper hmit of the Roman deposits, for the succeeding deposit was of twelfth century date. Thus during the Roman period the ground level was raised some 6 feet and with the absence of Saxon material, if ever the Saxons occupied the area, the abrupt change from the Roman period to the twelfth century may be due to a complete levelling of the site in medieval times. DECORATED SAMIAN WARE FIG. 6. 1. Form 29. Upper frieze only. Style of BASSVS AND COELVS. His double trifid ornament as on upper frieze of 29 stamped OF BASSI COEL Rheinzonheim (Knorr T.S. 1919 Text Fig. 42) ; his hare (O.2041) as on Form 30 ; his style Aishngen ; his medallions. Period Claudian, A.D. 40-50. (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No.l)* 2. Form 29. Upper frieze with arrowheads in panels. Not distinctive enough to identify the potter. Period Nero-Vespasian, c. A.D. 65-75. (Pit R II) 3. Form 29. Two fragments. Lower frieze with St. Andrew's Cross. Style of CANR AC AT VS of La Graufesenque. Period Vespasian, A.D. 70-80. (1/1) 4. Form 29. Upper frieze in the style of NAMVS of La Graufesenque. High glaze. There is a piece in the GuildhaU Museum, London, evidently from the same mould, showing this characteristic wreath in the lower frieze of trifid leaves. Claudian, A.D. 40-50. (Pit R IV) 5. Form 29. Style of NIGER of La Graufesenque. High glaze. In upper frieze a straight wreath used by him alternating with large rosettes. In lower frieze vertical cordate leaves with small hares and rings. Period Claudius-Nero, A.D. 50-60. (Pit R I) 6. Form 29. Identified as made by FELIX. Similar upper frieze on Form 29 (London) in his style. Period Nero-Vespasian, A.D. 65-75. (Pit R I) 7. Form 29. Upper frieze identified as the work of PRIMVS of La Graufesenque. Same design on Form 29 OF PRIMI at Cologne. Period Nero-Vespasian, A.D. 65-75 (Pit R I) * Note Section and Deposit indicated thus, 1/2 that is Section 1/Deposit 2. 93 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 8. Form 30. Style of MERCATOR of Banassac and La Graufesenque. Head of Minerva (O.1208) which occurs on a Form 37 stamped MERCATO in London (G.H.). Underneath is a panel with geese (0.2244) and (0.2286). Period Domitianic. (Section 1/3) 9. Form 30. Style of LICINVS of La Graufesenque. Dog (O.2033), hare (O.2050) as on Form 29 London (B.M.) stamped LICINVS F. Cupid new type. Instead of a -wavy line at the base of the design he employed a double row of pinnate leaves, as on Form 30 in his style at Mainz and London. Here the lower row of leaves is nearly obhterated. Period Claudian, A.D. 45-50. (Section 4/H.2. Hearth) 10. Form 30. Style of MASCVLVS of La Graufesenque. Design as on Form 30 MASCVLVS F. Vindonissa. Claudian,-A.D. 40-50. (Pit R I) 11. Form 37. Style of MOMMO ; his ovolo and similar festoon. Bird (0.2266). He also used the cupid (O.406) and his birds (or animals) in serrated medallions (Form 29, OF MOM Pompeii). (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No. 3) 12. Form 37. Animals free in the field. Deer, (Dech.852) lioness, and dog. Probably by DOECCVS, c. A.D. 110-130. (Section 5/3) 13. Small fragment bearing fore part of diminutive deer. Probably belongs to same bowl as No. 12 above. (Section 5/3) 14. Form 30. Style of DONNAVCVS ; his double-beaded medalhon and his leaf as on Form 37 Stroubing (Stanfield Germania 1939, p. 112) with his OD monogram. His large rosette as on Form 37 London (G.H.) with his monogram. Nude man (0.659) and dancer (0.353). Period Hadrian, A.D. 120-30. (Section 2/3) 15. Form 37. Style of AVSTRVS, his ovolo and figure of Pan (0.717). Probably Hadrianic, c. A.V. 120-30. (Section 2/2) 16. Form 37. Figure of Pan, probably from same bowl as No. 15 above, as both fragments were found together. (Section 2/2) 17. Form 37. Style of MOMMO, his ovolo ; and he used a similar vertical ornament with the same palmate leaf on Form 29 OF MOM at Pompeii (Atkinson). Period Vespasian, A.D. 70-80. (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No. 3) 18. Form 29. Two fragments of lower frieze showing the nautilus motif with stalked acorns. Used by SCOTNVS at Bonn. Period Claudian, A.D. 40-50. (Pit R I) 19. Form 37. Westerndorf ware. Orange glaze and very poor execution. The figure, a boxer (0.1185) is much blurred. The small stag to right (O.1740) occurs also on Treves ware. Period A.D. 180-200. (Section l / 3) 20. Form 37. Style of VITALIS of La Graufesenque. Period Vespasian, A.D. 70-80. (Section 1/2) 94 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY iarrawTOjEasii &**% m 'JlWBmJM ttW^&A 13 17 FIG. 6. Samian Ware -(I Actual size) _i [_ _l INCHES 95 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 21. Form 37. Thick and much rubbed. Boar (0.164) used by RANTO on Form 37 London (B.M.) over sea-horse (0.49) as on Form 37 RANTO style York. Crown across vertical bead row. A row of rings in next panel below another sea-horse. No basal wreath. Probably by RANTO of Vichy. Period Trajanic, c. A.D. 110-20. (Section 2/2) FROM PIT R VI FIG. 6. 22. Fragment of hemispherical bowl, Marne ware, with stamped decoration of five zones of small oblong panels containing various geometrical patterns of obhque strokes, diagonal lines, dots and dashes. This ware is thought to have originated in the Marne VaUey and appears to be confined to the Southern areas of Britain, having been found at SUchester, London, Abinger (Surrey), and at the Saxon Shore Forts of Richborough, Lympne and Pevensey. At Richborough it was associated with pottery and coins of the late fourth century, and the coinage evidence from the present site tends to suggest a simUar date. One fragment was found in the filling of the Roman weU at a depth of 15 feet, but was a much worn specimen and is therefore not illustrated, cf. Richborough I, type 95, pp. 92 and 102. Smith, C.R., Antiquities of Richborough, etc., PI. IV. May, Silchester, PI. XXXIV, type 44 and PI. XXXVIII, types 1-14. 0. & P., PI. XI, 5, p. 231ff. Walters, C. R. P., in B.M. M2460, 2461. Sussex Arch., LII, p. 92, PI. X. PLATE 2 AND FIG. 7. s ^_^ 23. Bowl Form 29. Stamped OF MVRRAN retrograde incised on raised label in the decoration. In the upper frieze the scroll with cuneiform leaf is almost identical with the design on the upper frieze » CjBQpOflOJQQfl oTn«™*» ovotraB * # # 23 FIG. 7. Samian Bowl, form 29 (# Actual size) 96 PLATE II c c - - [/are p. ;/£ SAMIAN BOWL, FORM 29 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY of a Form 29 stamped OF MVRRA retrograde in the decoration and OF MVRRA on the interior of the base from London, now in the Society of Antiquaries' possession; but with palmate bud as on the upper frieze of a Form 29 from Aachen (Mayer Germania 1929, p. 48) also stamped OF MVRRA retrograde and OF MVRRA on the base. The lower frieze has heart-shaped leaves as used by the Claudian potters CRESTIO and SENICIO with medallions enclosing birds (0.2247) and (0.2293) and a basal wreath. Rosettes fiU the spaces between and below medallions. Period Claudian, A.D. 40-50. (Section 3/H.l. Clay at side of Hearth No. 1) PLATE 3 AND FIG. 8. 24. Bowl Form 29. Stamped LICINVS.F. on interior of base. In upper frieze a scroll with cuneiform leaf and trifid leaf. This is an addition to the known repertoire of designs by LICINVS. The same «• • w .^•iS^Cwfi ouooocooecw r ""»« FIG. 8. Samian Bowl, form 29 (A Actual size) ° j j2 INCHES trifid leaf occurs among festoons in the upper frieze stamped LICINVS F. At the junction of staUcs with a tendril binding of a small pinnate leaf and beads there occurs two re-curved spirals. The lower frieze is composed of godroons in series. Period Claudian, A.D. 40-50. (Section 3/H.l. Clay at side of Hearth No. 1) POTTER'S STAMPS ON SAMIAN WARE FROM SECTION 3/H.l. HEARTH No. 1. 1. Form 29. OF MVRRAN (retro.). Murranus of La Graufesenque, A.D. 40-50. 2. Form 29. LICINVS F. Licinus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 40-50. 97 13 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 3. Form 24. ARDACI. Ardacus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 45-50. 4. Form 18. OF PRIMI (very small). Primus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 45-50. FROM SECTION 4/H.2. HEARTH. 5. Form 15. OF PRIMI with swaUow-taU ends to the stamp. Occurs at Claudian Hofheim. Primus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 45-50. FROM PIT RL 6. Form 18. OF N GI. Niger of La Graufesenque. A.D. 40-50. 7. Form 27. PERRVS F. Claudian at Hofheim I. Perrus of Banassac. A.D. 40-50. 8. Form 18. LNGENVI F. Claudian at Hofheim I. Ingenuus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 40-50. FROM SECTION 1 INCORPORATED IN FLINTS OVER P I T R I. 9. Form 27. SEXVS. Sextus. 10. Form 18. ]CVS. Probably Fuscus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 60-70. 11. Form 29. OF PASSIEN. Passienus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 70-75. FROM SECTION 2-3. 12. Form 33. [RJEBVRRI OF, with leaf-stop as on Form 33 at Richborough ; cf. Rich. II, 82, No. 102 (A). Reburrus of Lezoux. Hadrianic. FROM TOP PILLING OP MEDIEVAL CELLAR. 13. Form 18. ]SECV. Probably OF SECV. Secundus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 60-70. 14. Form 33. SECVNDI. Secundus of La Graufesenque. A.D. 50-60. FROM PIT Mi 15. Form 18/31. ASIATI[CI OF]. As on 18/31 at Bitterne and St. Dunstan's, Canterbury, where it appears as ASIATICI M. Asiaticus. Hadrian-Antonine. c. A.D. 130-40. RESCUED POTTERY. 16. Form 18. OF MASCLI. Masclus of La Graufesenque. Claudian. A.D. 40-50. 98 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 17. Form 33. SEX.CASSI.M. Sextus and Cassius, probably of Lezoux. Hadrianic. A.D. 120-30. THE POTTERY. COARSE WARE FIG. 9. 1. Small cooking pot. Colchester Form 258. Zonal decoration of stamped dots at base of neck, and with finely striated lines below. Coarse grained paste, dark grey, fumed black. Black shp coating, smoothed from shoulder to inner edge of hp. Claudian. (Section 3/1) 2. SmaU cooking pot. Colchester Form 258. Decorated with obliquely incised lines on shoulder and with girth groove below. "1 f *M ( 5 = ) i U \ / c \ ^ 2 k t ") <> m [a —^ nmuuuHWi MBlU KM R wmm ] \ 8 14 15 IN 16 O FIG. 9. Coarse Pottery (A Actual size) ? | 2 T INCH£S Coarse grey paste coated with smooth soapy sfip, varying from black to reddish-brown in colour. Claudian. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 3) 3. Small cooking pot. Colchester Form 258. With beaded rim and girth groove at base of neck. Zone of incised lines below. Coarse grey paste, fumed black with soapy black coating extending to inner edge of hp. Claudian. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 1) 4. Small cooking pot with shghtly everted Up. Shape simUar to Colchester Form 258 but fabric is inferior, being of friable fumed sandy grey clay. Claudian. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 1) 5. Small wide-mouthed bowl with S-shaped profile. A cordon at base of neck, and wide corrugations on body. Thin brown paste. A 99 EXCAVATIONS rIN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY Romano-British version of a Swarling prototype, cf. Swarling, types 22-25. Claudian. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 1) 6. A Native imitation of a Gallo-Belgic platter (Colchester Form 13). Flat base and low, almost useless foot-ring, rounded in section. Soft grey paste with smooth coating varying in colour from reddishbrown to black. Typologically assigned to the closing stages of Belgic pottery. Occurs frequently in Claudian and Neronian deposits but do.es not last much into the Flavian period. (Section 3 H.I. Hearth No. 1) 7. Small cooking pot, similar to No. 3 above. Claudian. (Section 3/1) 8. Rim fragment of a Butt-shaped beaker with internal bevel at lip. Sub-Belgic ware. Chocolate-brown gritted clay with lighter coloured coating, cf. Ant. Journ., XIX. Julliberies Grave, p. 273, Fig. 6. Claudian. (Section 3/1) 9. Rim and part of neck of large two-handled amphora. Pinkish buff ware. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 3) 10. Rim of mortarium with bead and roll rim. Gritted, friable clay. Mid first century. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 3) 11. Spout of mortarium, pinkish buff ware. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 4) 12. Fragment of bowl with level, peaked hp. Black clay, fired reddish-brown with lighter coating. Surface has pitted corky appearance. Claudian. (Section 4 H.2. Hearth) 13. Top of small vessel with tuhp-shaped mouth, probably part of a flower vase with triple containers. Pinkish buff ware. (Section 4 H.2. Hearth) 14. Rim of mortarium. Bead and roll type. Sparsely gritted on inner surface and rim. Grey clay fired reddish-brown and coated with smooth buff slip. Mid first century. (Section 4 H.2. Hearth) 15. Fragment of a native imitation of a Colchester Form 13 Gallo-Belgic platter. Sub-Belgic ware. Greyish-black clay with remains of a smooth black varnish on surface. Claudian. (Section 1/1) 16. Fragment of a quoit-shaped base of a pedestal urn. Colchester Form 202. Typical Belgic ware of a Swarling type, c. A.D. 20-40. cf. Swarling, Nos . 5 ,6 and 7. (Found on surface of natural, undisturbed brickearth.) (Section 4/1) FIG. 10. 17. Storage jar with re-curved rim. Zone of burnished latticed lines below. Coarse, grey gritted paste, fired black with smoothed black to brown coating, cf. Richborough III, type 254. A.D. 50-75. (Pit R II) 100 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 18. Amphora neck and rim. Buff ware. Heavy incurving rim. A.D. 50-75. (Pit R H) 19. Rim fragment of furrowed ware storage jar with everted rim, squarish in section. Shallow cordon on neck. Striated chevron pattern on shoulder. Coarse dark grey gritted paste, coated with black varnish on neck and over hp. Belgic. cf. Arch. Cant., LX, and Roman Canterbury No. 3, Fig. 5, No. 4. (Pit R I) 20. Rim fragment of furrowed ware storage jar with heavy roUed rim. Combed decoration on shoulder. Coarse gritted grey paste 17 1 ^^ 20 J I ? ( 8 24 5$ <^ 20 19 a ; 22 FIG. 10. Coarse Pottery (& Actual size) i , , 3, /NCHes with smooth reddish-brown to black coating extending from neck to inner edge of hp. Belgic. (Section 1/1) 21. Rim fragment of furrowed ware jar. Coarse gritted grey paste with smoothed black coating. Belgic. Cf. Arch. Cant., LX, and Roman Canterbury No. 3, Fig. 5, No. 5. (Pit RIV) 22. Rim fragment of furrowed ware jar with zone of incised decoration on shoulder and combing below. (Pit RIV) 23. Furrowed ware jar with re-curved rim and shallow cordon on neck. Coarse grey paste, hght red on surface with smoothed black to brown coating. Mid first century. Cf. Arch. Cant., LX, and Roman Canterbury No. 3, Fig. 5, No. 1. (Pit R l bottom) 24. Furrowed ware storage jar, similar to No. 23 above, but with no cordon on neck. (Section 1/1) 101 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 25. Furrowed ware jar with heavy outward roUed hp and combing on shoulder. Coarse brown gritted paste, light reddish-orange on surface. (Pit R I) Large quantities of interdeterminate fragments were found in the early deposits and persisted in decreased numbers in those succeeding them. FIG. 11. 26 and 27. Small cooking pots with shghtly everted rims and decorated with zones of obhquely incised hnes below a girth groove at junction of neck with shoulder. Burnished girth lines on body. Coarse V ( ? V77T7T777 t HW/M •s \ \ FIG. 11. Coarse Pottery (| Actual size) INCHES grey paste with soapy shp, smoothed above zonal decoration to inner edge of lip. These are probably of the same series as Nos. 1-4 and 7 above. (Pit R I) 28. Black ware bowl with moulded rim and burnished latticed pattern on body. (Pit R l) 29. Straight-sided black ware pie-dish with burnished latticed pattern on body. Coarse grey paste with smoothed surface. Cf. Richborough HI, No. 339. A.D. 80-120. (Pit R I) 30. Wide-mouthed bowl with outward turned hp and corrugated shoulder. Fumed grey paste tempered with chalk and flint grit. Smooth coating of reddish-brown to black soapy slip. Cf. Richborough III, No. 275. A.D. 50-70. (Pit R I) 31. Side fragment of a local imitation GaUo-Belgic dish. Coarse grey paste with smooth black coating. (Pit R I) 102 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY Pinkish-buff ware. (Pit R I) clay, pinkish-buff at 159, type 12; and (Pit R I I) (Pit R I) 32. Flagon neck with four-ringed mouth. A.D. 80-120. 33. Flagon top with under-cut hp. Grey surface. Cf. Silchester, 1938-9 Arch., 92, p. Richborough III, Nos. 190-1. Nero-Vespasian. 34. SmaU flagon top in pinkish-buff ware. 35. Black ware bowl with burnished latticed pattern on body and shghtly curved hp. Hard, sandy grey, fumed clay coated with pohshed black shp. Cf. Richborough III, Nos. 238-9. A.D. 50-80. (Pit R H) 36. Rim of beaker with internaUy beveUed, shghtly everted lip. Thin waUed, cream corrugated ware. Imported, probably Rhenish. (Pit R H) 37. Base of elegantly shaped pedestal vase in thin, hard, fumed grey ware. Zones of rouletting on swelling of body. (Pit RII) 38. Small dish with reeded, under-cut, horizontal flange in hard, sandy grey ware. c. A.D. 80-120. (Pit R H) 39. Rim fragment of a Butt-shaped beaker with internaUy bevelled rim. Chocolate coloured gritted clay with fighter coloured shp. Sub-Belgic ware, compare No. 8 of this report. Mid first century. (Pit RII) FIG. 12. 40. Flagon with moulded under-cut rim and two thumb-pressed handles with curved section. Burnished girth lines on body. Dirty J 1 (A Actual size) FIG. 12. Coarse Pottery 103 ' I I I INCHES EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY grey to black clay, coated on exterior with smooth soapy purple-red shp. Cf. Richborough III, No. 188. A.D. 50-80, probably early in the period. (Section 3 H.l. Hearth No. 4) 41. Small flagon top with thumb-pressed handle with curved section. In same technique as No. 40 above. A smaller version of Richborough III, type 187. A.D. 45-75. (Section 1/2) • 42. SmaU bowl with outward curved hp and a zone of burnished lines on shoulder. Thin hard grey clay with smooth surface. (Section 2/2) 43. Small bowl with outward curved hp and cordon at junction of neck and shoulder. Thin hard grey clay with smooth surface. (Section 1/2) 44. Poppy-head beaker, decorated with rows of small studs arranged in oblong groups, a common type in the second century, but examples at Richborough not far removed from A.D. 100 ; cf. Richborough III, 306, 307 and 308. (Section 4/3) 45 and 46. Rough cast beakers with small well made everted hp and small moulded foot. Thin, cream clay with purplish shp. Cf. Richborough III, 302. A.D. 90-140. (Section 2/2) 47. Carinated and flanged bowl with under-cut and reeded rim. Hard, sandy, fumed grey clay. Cf. Richborough I I I , 220. A.D. 80-120. (Section 1/2) 48. Neck of large amphora with heavy hooked rim. Hard grey clay, bright red at surface. (Section 1/2) FIG. 13. 49. Cooking jar with outward curved hp. Thin hard sandy grey ware, shghtly reddened by fire on the outside. Probably late second century. (Section 1/3) 50. Mortarium, bead and roU type. Buff ware, sparsely gritted on rim and inner surface. Cf. Wroxeter I, type 22. A.D. 80-120. (Section 1/2) 51. Mortarium. Rolled rim with shght, almost neghgible, bead. Buff ware, gritted on inner surface and over rim. Cf. Wroxeter I, type 34. A.D. 80-110. (Pit R I) 52. Rim of mortarium. Bead and roU type. Buff ware, gritted on inner surface and rim. Cf. Wroxeter I, type 22, nearest, A.D. 80-120. (Section 1/2) 53. Mortarium. Bead and roU type, bearing stamp of herringbone, or conventional leaf, pattern. Pinkish-buff ware, sparsely gritted on rim and inner surface. A nearly identical stamp, though not from the same die is in the Folkestone Villa Collection at the Folkestone Museum. Late first century. (Section 1/2) 104 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 54. Flanged mortarium. Buff clay with hghter buff surface. Small quartz grits on interior. Second century. (Section 2/2) 55. Mortarium. Bead and roll type. Buff ware, finely gritted on inner surface and over rim. (Section 2/2) 56. Mortarium. Vertical rim type. Buff ware. Fourth century. (Unstratified, from filling of medieval cellar.) 57. Mortarium, vertical rim type. Buff ware with orange coating. Quartz gritted on inner surface. For type cf. Wroxeter I, 222, at Huntcliff dated end of fourth century. (Section 2/4) ( U ) 50 IV^"ik 52 53 51 1 H^. C-7 ^^ 55 ( QW 6 0 54 57 56 59 \^\7 •) ^ 58 FIG. 13. Coarse Pottery (& Actual size) ? i ? ? INCHES 58. Mortarium,- hammer-head type with moulded spout. Buff ware. Cf. Wroxeter I, 198. Late third to early fourth century. (Unstratified, from filling of medieval well.) 59 and 60. Two spouts and upper part of a large globular-bodied vessel of a type which probably had three of these spouts arranged at regularly spaced intervals around the shoulder. These " spouts " were probably fiUers, each being placed over a roughly pierced hole to aUow access to the interior, and so arranged that they could hardly have been used for pouring purposes. The vertical neck is decorated with an applied band of finger-pressed frUling below a moulded hp. Two horizontal grooves are at the junction of the neck and shoulder. 105 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY Hard, greyish-brown clay with roughened reddish-brown surface bearing traces of a cream or buff shp. A number of these vessels have been found at Mainz and Trier, while more elaborate types decorated with apphed figures of reptiles were found at Vindonissa. It is thought that in some cases these vessels had a rehgious significance. The nearest British paraUel is one 64 IS 62 63 61 Z> 66 / / \ \ 67 65 4 68 70 R - I h 69 72 7 re 74 73 75 Fro. 14. Coarse Pottery (fc Actual size) from' Wroxeter (cf. Wroxeter I, Fig. 18, No. 39), but the neck is undecorated, and the filling holes are well defined. More recently, in December 1949 at Canterbury, fragments of a similar type of vessel were found by Mr. Boyle and the writer on the site of a Roman pottery kiln where the Reed Avenue Primary School now stands (pubUcation pending). This example, however, is in grey ware with a plain outwardturned hp and dates from the late first century. (Cf. O.R.L. Faimingen, pp. 93-4. Altertumer a.d. Vorzeit V, 342, PI. LIX. Hence Germania 106 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY Romana V, PI. XXIX, Fig. 1, from Mainz, and XXIX, Fig. 2, Nos. 1 and 2 from Trier.) (Section 2/2) FIG. 14. FROM THE FOURTH CENTURY DEPOSITS 61. Funnel-necked indented beaker with outward-turned hp. Thin hard grey clay with smooth black shp extending upwards from shoulder to inner edge of lip. Late third to fourth century. (Section 3/4) 62. Upper part of flagon with vertical mouth and ring moulding above attachment for handle. Light brown clay coated with dark orange shp. Fourth century. Cf. Sandford Oxon., Arch., 72, Fig. 5, No. 22 ; Hambleden, Bucks., Arch. 71, Fig. 16, No. 166. (Section 2/4) 63. Upper part of ring-necked flagon with moulded mouth. Grey clay, hght orange-brown at surface coated with dark chocolatebrown shp. Cf. Ashley Rails IX, Nos. 11-13. Richborough H, No. 164. Ospringe : Arch. Cant., XXXVI, No. 61, PI. VIII. Typical of fourth century. (Section 2/4) 64. Upper part of funnel-necked beaker with finely moulded lip. Rhenish ware. Hard, thin orange clay with highly lustrous metallic coating. Band of rouletting on shoulder with fragment of decoration in white paint below. Third century. (Section 2/4) 65. Upper part of funnel-necked beaker with highly lustrous metalhc glaze. Band of rouletting on shoulder and narrow fluting on body. Third century. (Section 4/4) 66. Mortarium rim, of buffclay with thinly applied plum-coloured shp on surface. Thickly quartz-gritted on inner surface. Late third early fourth century. (Section 5/3) 67. Mortarium rim. Grey clay, fight pink at surface, coated with dark red shp. Quartz grits on interior. Cf. Silchester PI. LVI, No. 103. Fourth century. (Section 5/3) 68. Rim of mortarium in orange buff ware. Third century. (Section 2/4) 69. Rim fragment of flanged bowl bearing traces of scroU decoration in white paint on flange. Grey clay with dark red coating. Fourth century. (Section 5/3) 70. Rim of hand-made and uneven cooking jar with outbent lip. Compare with types 76-80 below. Late fourth century. (Section 5/3) 71. Small funnel-necked, bulbous-bodied beaker with stumpfooted base. Thin, hard, grey clay with polished surface. Probably fourth century. (Section 3/5) 72. Rim of jar with slightly outward turned lip. Coarse, dirty grey clay with smoothed dark brown coating on surface. Fourth century. (Section 2/4) 107 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 73. Fragment of side of a vessel in thin, hard grey ware with dark brown to black shp coating, bearing decoration of scrolls and berries executed in white paint. Probably fourth century. (Section 2/4) 74. Form 45 Samian mortarium with apphed hon's head mask (missing). Late second-third century. (Section 2/4) 75. Form 45 Samian mortarium. Lezoux ware. Late second century. (Section 2/4) FIG. 15. FROM THE ROMAN WELL 76 to 80. Hand-made and uneven cooking jars with out-bent Up. Coarse, dirty grey paste with smeared black coating and oblique tooled lines on body. Fragments of this ware were found in quantity in the fourth century deposits throughout Sites 1 and 2, and especiaUy in the upper filling of the well. Those iUustrated are typical examples. They appear to be typical of the latter part of the fourth century, and were associated with coins of Gratian. Exact parallels are known at Richborough and are similarly dated. Cf. Richborough I, 57 ; II, 149 ; HI, 333-334. 81. Side fragment of carinated bowl with beaded lip. Redcoated ware decorated with bands of rouletting on body. Cf. Silchester, PI. LVI, 101. 82. Side fragment of Samian Form 45 with lion's head mask spout in applied relief, encircled by stabbed dots. Late second-early third century. 83. Side fragment of red-coated ware bowl with beaded hp and short neck. Circular indentations on body and band of rouletting on neck just below hp. Narrow cordon at base of neck. Fourth century. 84. Rim fragment of hemispherical bowl with beaded lip. Redcoated ware decorated with streaks of cream paint on body. A number of fragments bearing this style of decoration were found but were too indeterminate for Ulustration. Cf. Ashley Rails, PI. VIII. 85. Side fragment of bowl with thin out-curved side. Coarse grey clay with smeared black coating. Technique similar to Nos. 70-80 above. 86. Side fragment of bowl with thick out-curved side. Coarse grey clay with smeared coating varying from black to brown in colour. 87. Side fragment of thick-sided bowl or porringer. Hard, light brown clay with some grit. Smooth surface. 88. Side fragment of flanged conical bowl with slight bead. Slightly gritted grey clay with burnished black coating. Third-fourth century. 89. Red coated ware imitation of a Samian Form 45. Pink clay 108 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY I xnumimnnim tinitrtWMwt mmmmm 82 K \ Rfi 87 _r no on ? ; ? (^j Actual size) FIG. 15. Coarse Pottery from Roman Well 0 I 2 109 INCHES EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY with darker coating. Unevenly made hp. Cf. Richborough III, type 340. Fourth century. 90. Red coated imitation of a Samian Form 38. Grey clay, hght pink at surface, coated with red shp. Fragments of similar vessels were found (not iUustrated) bearing scroll decorations in white or cream paint as No. 84 above. 91. Mortarium rim, flanged type with horizontal flange. Hard, reddish-brown clay throughout with traces of a cream slip on surface. 92. Mortarium rim, flanged type. Cf. Lockleys, Ant. Journ., XVHI, p. 374, Fig. 13, No. 7. Mid fourth century. 93. Mortarium rim with weU moulded spout. Flanged type. Grey core hght buff at surface with smooth cream coating. Quartz gritted on inner surface. 94. Rim of smaU jar with under-cut rim. Vesiculated ware. Hard grey clay, dark brown at surface. A common type in the fourth century deposits at Verulamium. Cf. Arch. 84, p. 257, No. 21. 95. Rim of large jar with heavy moulded hp and very short neck. Top of rim deeply grooved to accommodate a lid. Very hard coarse gritted grey clay, dark brown at surface, bearing remains of a dark grey slip. Cf. Richborough III, type 346. Late fourth century. 96 and 97. Bases of red coated ware bowls. Hard pink clay with dark red coating. 98. Rim of large jar with out-curved lip. Hard thin grey clay with smooth surface. 99. Rim of jar with out-curved rolled lip. Coarse grey clay, hght brown at surface. Burnished lines on shoulder. This and No. 98 were found at the 10-foot level. THE COINS 1. Augustus (C. Gallius Lupercus) Dupondius. 22 B.C. (Section 4/1) 2. Claudius I As. A.D. 41. M&S 66. (Section 1/1) 3. Claudius I Dupondius. B.M. Cat. I, 213, PL 364. (Section 2/3) 4. Nero As. A.D. 54-68. (Unstratified) 5. Vespasian AS. A.D. 71. M&S 494. (Section 1/3) 6. Vespasian Denarius, A.D. 70-2. M&S 39. (Section 2/3) 7. Hadrian As. A.D. 117-138. (Section 3/2) 8. Marcus Aurelius Denarius, A.D. 140-7. (Section 2/3) 9. Marcus Aurehus Sestertius A.D. 162-3. (Section 2/3) 10. Claudius I I Antoninianus. .A.D. 268-70. (Section 2/4) 11. Claudius H Antoninianus. A.D. 268-70. (Roman Well at 2 feet) 12. Gallienus. Antoninianus. A.D. 260-8. (Section 3/4) 110 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 13. Gallienus. Antoninianus. A.D. 260-8. 14. Salonina. Antoninianus. c. A.D. 260. 15. Radiate Crown, probably Tetricus A.D. 270. 16. Barbarous Radiate, c. A.D. 270. 17. Radiate crown, probably Tetricus I. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. Tetricus I. A.D. 270-3. M&S 132-3, Tetricus I. A.D. 270-3. 56 Tet. I. Carausius. Antoninianus A.D. 287-93 Constantine I. Constantine I. dm. (Section 3/4) (Section 4/4 I. Antoninianus. c. (Pit M 3) (Section 2/4) c. A.D. 270. (Section 2/4) (Section 5/3) (Pit R V) M&S 98. (Roman Well at 5 feet 6 inches) A.D. 307-37. A.D. 330-7. 23. Constantine I. 3M. A.D. 330-7. (Section 2/4 (Roman Well at 2 feet) 24. Constantine I. 3^E. A.D. 330-7. 25. House of Constantine I. 3M. 26. House of Constantine I. 3M. 27. House of Constantine I. 3M. (Roman WeU at 1 foot) (Roman Well at 1 foot) A.D. 335-42. (Roman WeU at 2 feet) A.D. 335-42. (Section 3/4) c. A.D. 315. (5/Footings of Medl. Wall) 28. House of Constantine I. 3^E. A.D. 335-42. (Roman WeU at 7 feet 6 inches) 29. House of Constantine I. 3M. c. A.D. 315. (Pit M I) 30. Crispus. 3M. A.D. 320-4. (Roman WeU at 6 feet 6 inches) 31. Constantine II. 3^E. A.D. 330-5. (Section 2/4) .32. Constantius or Constans. ZM. A.D. 345-61. (Roman WeU at 6 feet 6 inches) Constantius II. Constantius II. Constans. 3M. Constans. 3M. Constans. 3M. Constans. 3M. Constans. 3M. Valentinian I. Valens Gratian. Gratian. Gratian. Gratian. Eugenius. 3M 3M. 3M. 3M. &m. 3M. A.D. 345-61. 3M. A.D. 341-5. A.D. 345-50. A.D. 341-42. A.D. 341-5. A.D. 341-5. , A.D. 341-5. 3M. A.D. 364-75. A.D. 364-78. A.D. 367-75. A.D. 367-83. A.D. 367-83. A.D. 367-83. A.D. 392-4. (Section 2/4) (Roman Well at 3 feet) (Roman Well at 1 foot) (Roman WeU at 2 feet) (Roman Well at 2 feet) (Section 2/4) (Section 2/4) (Roman WeU at 1 foot) (Roman Well at 1 foot) (Section 2/4) (Section 3/5) (Section 2/4) (Roman Well at 3 feet) (Section 3/5) 111 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 47. Sixth century Nuremburg jetton of Hans Krauwinckel. (1/Modern make-up) 48. Enghsh sfiver penny. IUegible. (5/Robber trench of Medl. bldg.) A full description of the coins in the above list has been deposited at Canterbury Museum. SMALL OBJECTS OBJECTS OP BONE (FIG. 16) 1. Pin with plain bi-conical head. (Section 3/3) 2. Pin with plain bi-conical head. (Section 3/3) 3. Pin with plain head. (Pit RV) 4. Pin decorated at head with incised lines. (Pit RII) 5. Pin decorated at head with incised lines. (Section 1/2) 6. Pin with head decorated with a stylised fir cone. (Section 2/5) 7. Pin with plain circular knob, point missing. (Section 3/5) 8. Pin with plain pointed head. (Section 5/3) 9. Dice. (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No. 2) 10. Gaming counter decorated with concentric circles on upper surface. (Section 1/2) OBJECTS OP GLASS 11. Gaming counter of black opaque glass. (Section 1/2) 12. Glass bead. (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No. 2) 13. Glass bead. (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No. 2) OBJECTS OP BRONZE 14. Handle of small lever key. (Pit M2) 15. Bowl of ligula. (Pit R I) 16. Pin with decorated globular head. (Pit R I) 17. Pin with beaded head. (Pit RIV) 18. Small expanding ring. (Section 5/3) 19. Lamp with crescent-shaped palmetto and plain nozzle (mid first century A.D.). (Section 4/H.2. Hearth No. 1) 20. Back of lozenge-shaped seal case. (Section 2/2) 21. Lid of oblong-shaped seal case decorated in chequered pattern of red and orange champleve enamel, c. A.D. 75. Cf. Newstead LXXXIX, Fig. 26. (Pit R I) 22. Nail with large domed head. (Section 1/3) 23. NaU with circular head. (Pit R I) 24. Fish-shaped handle with claw-like attachment. A similar, but smaller, example is in the Eastgate Museum, Rochester. (Section 4/2) 25. Openwork hinged escutcheon. A Romano-British version of the classical pelta motif. (Antonine.) (Section 2/3) 112 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY H £-, *2<°0 113 HA EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY 26. Fibula. Hod Hill type. (Claudian.) (Section 4/H.2. Hearth No. 1) 27. Fibula. Dolphin type. The so-called " poor man's" brooch, c. A.D. 75. Colchester, Type IV. (Pit R I) 28. Fibula. CoUingwood group P, in this case a first century survival in rubbish. (Section 2/5) 29. SmaU Boss backed with iron. (Fragmentary.) (Pit RII) 30. Penannular brooch with dome-shaped terminals. (Restored from fragments.) (Section 2/5) 31. Small figure of dog standing on a horizontal, semicircular serrated base. Probably part of a decorative handle of a clasp knife such as at Ospringe. Cf. Arch. Cant., XXXVHI, p. 149, Fig. Miscellaneous. (Section 1/2) 32. Spindle whorl of shale. (Section 5/3) 33. Tile bearing imprint of the paw of a large dog. (Not illustrated.) (Section 4/2) 34. Gaming counter fashioned from fragment of decorated Samian pottery. (Not illustrated.) (Pit R I) 35. Fragment of small green melon-shaped faience bead. (Not illustrated.) (Section 2/2) 36. Base of third century vase, containing Rouge. (Not illustrated.) (Section 1/3) STRATIFIED QUERNS (FIG. 17) 1. Quern (upper stone) of miU stone grit, with concave grinding surface and lateral handle socket. This type recaUs pre-Roman Wessex type. (Cf. Curwen, E.C., Antiquity XI, p. 133ff.) This example can hardlv be later than Claudian in date. (Section 3/H.l. Hearth No. 1) 2. Quern (upper stone) of mill stone grit with flat grinding surface and handle socket which does not communicate with the " eye " of the quern (as it does in the Hunsbury series). Probably belongs to " puddingstone class," which has a predominately Watling Street distribution. Cf. Curwen, E.C., Antiquity XV, p. 20. (Section 2/2) A similar quern made of the same material was found associated with this example as also a number of disc querns (fragments only) of Neidermendig or Andernach lava. The latter are probably imports from Germany. Other fragments of querns in both materials were found in the filling of Pit R I, but are too indeterminate to merit iUustration. The writer is indebted to Dr. Cecil Curwen for the description of the above, who asks that attention be drawn to the fact that the evidence provided by these querns is what is needed in bunding up the typology of querns in Britain, which has been conspicuously lacking hitherto. 114 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY FIG. 17. StratiEed Querns (f0 Actual size) APPENDIX I REPORT ON CHARCOAL Specimens of charcoal were submitted to Miss F. L. Stephens, who examined and identified them as foUows :— Beech (Fagus sylvatica); Hazel (Corylus avellana); Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) ; Oak ; Elm ; Birch ; Willow or Poplar. APPENDIX II REPORT ON IRON SLAG Samples of the iron slag, found in the sooty, black clinker-like deposit overlying the fourth century deposits, were submitted to Dr. A. F. Halfimond of the Geological Survey and Museum, who reports as follows :— " The material is a rather frothy, black crystalline iron slag, composed of dendritic magnatite in granular fayalite. Much of the fayalite contains minute tubular parallel inclusions, probably silica. 115 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY There is no glass. This slag is probably a ternary magnatite-fayalitesilica slag, and would agree with the Roman origin. The specimen (Ml 27805) and micro-section (E 21761) have been placed in the Survey CoUections." A further enquiry as to the source of origin was replied to as follows:— " I t is quite impossible to assign any source of origin with any degree of authority. The iron could have come from somewhere in the Weald, but as you are aware, there are many sites and several horizons, which yielded iron ore. It is just possible that the ironstone from the Woolwich Beds of the Forest of Bleah.was used. I would emphasize, however, that there is not the slightest evidence that this was so, or even that these smaU hmonitic deposits have in fact ever been used. The ore may have been imported from farther afield." APPENDIX IH NOTES ON THE GLASS By D. B. Harden, F.S.A. 1. Rim fragment of light green bottle, normal type. Flavian. 2. Base of bowl, flask or jar, light green, very bubbly and streaky. This might be part of an Anglo-Saxon jar, the metal and colour are very like that of two specimens in Canterbury Museum (Nos. 990-1), but it could just as well be late Roman. 3. Fragment of flask or jug, blue ; the body triangular, the base concave. First-second century. 4. Fragment of handle, blue with opaque white thread decoration, type of vessel quite uncertain. Second century. 5. Fragment of handle, brownish. Type of vessel quite uncertain. Probably second century. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The excavations above described were commenced on the initiative of Mr. John Boyle, LL.B., the Town Clerk of Canterbury. Mr. Boyle secured the approval (perhaps somewhat hesitant at first) of the Canterbury Excavation Committee to the idea of local amateurs working under the Committee's segis on sites in the central area of the City. The excavations were carried through over a period of many months in aU sorts of weather, principaUy by Mr. Boyle and the writer. 116 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY We desire to thank the many people who in various capacities have assisted the work. Mr. Sheppard Frere, F.S.A., whose encouragement, practical advice and occasional visits to the site have contributed much to the success of the excavations. Major F. W. Tomlinson, F.S.A., lately Secretary of the Canterbury Excavations Committee. The Samian ware was reported upon by Dr. Fehx Oswald, F.S.A., and the glass by Dr. D. B. Harden, F.S.A. Dr. A. F. Halhmond reported on the iron slag and the Rev. Dr. S. G. Brade-Birks identified soils and geological material. Specimens of charcoal were reported upon by Miss F. L. Stephens of the Department of Botany, British Museum, the coins by Mr. B. H. St.J. O'Neil, V-P.S.A., various smaU objects by Professor C. F. C. Hawkes, F.S.A., and the querns by Dr. E. C. Curwen, F.S.A. Mr. F. Higenbottam, City Librarian and Curator, placed full museum and library facilities at our disposal when framing this report. Finally, special mention must be made of the volunteer diggers who gave their help at various times and sometimes in the worst of weathers : Messrs. A. J. Gardiner, J. Newton, R. Jordan, H. L. WUson, T. Hine and T. Martin. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ABBREVIATIONS Antiquity XI, XV E. C. Curwen, Querns. Ant. Journ. The Antiquaries Journal. Arch. Archceologia. Arch. Cant. Archceologia Cantiana. Ashley Rails Heywood Sumner, Excavations in New Forest Roman Pottery Sites (1927). Atkinson. D. Atkinson, A Hoard of Samian Ware from Pompeii, Journal of Roman Studies, IV. B.M. British Museum, London. Camulodunum Hawkes and Hull, Society of Antiquaries Research Report XIV. CoUingwood Colhngwood, The Archaeology of Roman Britain, 1930. Dech. J. Dechelette. Germania Romana Germania Romana V. G.H. Guildhall Museum, London. Huntcliff The Roman Fort at Huntcliff, near Saltburn. Journal of Roman Studies, II. Knorr, T.S. 1919 Knorr, Topfer und Fabriken verzierter Terra- Sigillata des ersten Jahrhunderts, 1919. M&S Mattingly and Sydenham, Roman Imperial Coinage. Mayer Germania, 1929. 117 EXCAVATIONS IN BURGATE STREET, CANTERBURY Newstead J. Curie, A Roman Frontier Post and its People, 1911. 0 or Oswald Oswald, Index of Figure Types on Terra Sigillata. (Supplement to Liverpool Annals of Archceology and Anthropology.) 0 & P Oswald and Pryce, An Introduction to the Study of Terra Sigillata, 1920. O.R.L. Der Obergermanische-Raetische Limes des Romerreichs. Ospringe Society of Antiquaries Research Report, VIII and Arch. Cant., XXXVIII. Richborough Bushe-Fox, Society of Antiquaries Research Reports,. VI, VII, X. Silchester T. May, The Pottery found at Silchester, Reading, 1916. Smith C. R. Smith, Antiquities of Richborough, Reculver and Lympne. Stanfield Germania 1939. Germania Sussex Arch. Sussex Archaeological Society Collections, Vol. LII, Excavations at Pevensey, 1906-8, L. F. Salzmann and J. E. Ray. Swarling Bushe-Fox, Society of Antiquaries Research Report V. Walters, C. R. P. J. B. Walters, Catalogue of Roman Pottery in British Museum, 1908. Wroxeter Bushe-Fox, Society of Antiquaries Research Reports, I and II. 118