Reports

( 69 ) REPORTS. CANTERBURY EXCAVATION COM?IITTTEE, 1944. Precis of Preliminary Report compiled (with plans anil photographs) b􀁌 Mrs. Audrey Williams, M.A., of the Office of Works. DIGGING took place from September 18th until October 14th, 1944. During the first three weeks, four paid labourers were employed ; and during the whole four weeks, including Saturday and Sunday after, noons, there were in addition an average number of at least five volunteers. The total number of volunteers who worked during the period was 84. The site explored was situated between the blitzed ruins of St. George's Church and the fragment of the olp. city wall adjoining thE site of St. George's Gate; the site was intersected by Burgate LanE which was not disturbed. 1. The portion West of Burgate Lane, formerly Martin's shop, had cellars 7 ft. or 8 ft. below modern road-level. Here several Roman pits ,vere found and a gully which would seem to have been some sort of drain. The pits were filled with household rubbish, broken pottery, scraps of metal, a few coins, many oyster shells and animal bones (pig, ox, sheep or goat). The pottery types and coins range from the second century onwards. Although no traces of buildings were found, it seems certain that there must have been houses in the near vicinity. 2. The portion East of Burgate Lane, immediately adjacent to the city wall, was at modern road-level (i.e. no cellars). Here excavation was complicated by the discovery, at 2 ft. below surface, of a well of comparatively recent date in which were found scraps of medireval pottery and a rare London farthing of Richard II. Digging continued to the base of the fragment of city wall but no Roman work was found ; it therefore seems that the Roman wall here lay in front of (i.e. outside) the later wall. In addition, at Martyrs' Field (Inhumation Cemetery No. 4 of Victoria Oounty History) trial trenches were cut in the area to be used for the extension of Oxford Road, but no burials were found. MAJOR F. w. TOMLINSON, F.S.A., Hon. Secretary; Oanterb-μ,ry Excavation Oommittee. 8 ( 69 ) REPORTS. COUNCIL FOR BRITISH ARCH1EOLOGY. Tms body had its being in 1944 through the insistent need by representation of Archreological Societies and kindred interests for a greater appreciation of all archaiological and correlated subjects from a national point of view in post-war reconstruction. 8 70 REPORTS. While the County Societies have done yeoman service in their circumscribed lines it has been considered that larger areas arranged as regions could work in a wider sphere, and co-operatively. Under this scheme the English Counties have been arranged in thirteen groups ; Kent, Surrey and Sussex form that known as the South-East Regional Group. Each Regional Group has its own Council consisting of two representatives from each County Society and two from the chief active local societies. Each of these bodies will be called upon to contribute under a definite scheme to raise the suggested annual expenditure of the General Council (a ld. per member of the contributing societies) while for the expenses of the Regional Groups-an annual contribution of two guineas is suggested. For special questions there are to be panels of experts who will deal with the following .six periods: (a) Palreolithic and Mesolithic, (b) Neolithic, Bronze and Iron .Ages, (o) Romano-British, (d) Dark .Ages and .AngJo-Saxon, (e) Medieval, (j) Renaissance. The Council may number 90 to 100 delegates who will only be called together at long intervals but an Executive Council will meet at short intervals to deal with matters calling for immediate action and to act as the channel through which individual questions could be transmitted to the Regional Groups. The general scheme has been well considered and should be flexible enough to follow a modern outlook and changing conditions. Up to the present the County Societies, with the .Ancient Monuments Inspectorate, have been mastei's in their own spheres. No limitation it is suggested is to be put on the initiative of these societies but time may show that they will be adversely affected. This is possible as the short term functions of a Regional Group will comprise: (1) the listing and examination of archreological sites exposed by bomb damage, (2) the report to the Ministry .of Works of threats to ancient buildings from town planning and road widening and .(3) the recording and preservation of chance finds. .All it seems without reference to the County Society. .A circular has been prepared by the Executiv-e Committee .at the request of the Council. This comprises notes for the guidance of Regional Groups, specifying in detail their purpose, and the action to be taken. W.P.D.S.