Excavations at No. 41 St. George's Street, Canterbury, 1985

EXCAVATIONS AT NO. 41 ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY, 1985* P. BLOCKLEY, B.Sc. with contributions by I. Anderson, M. Archibald, P. Budd, J. Cherry, J.M. Elder, B. Ellis, P. Garrard, I. Goodall, D. Mackreth, N. Macpherson-Grant, A. Oakley, S. Ross, J. Shepherd and L. Webster. PART I: THE EXCAVATION INTRODUCTION G. Egan, M. Green, I. Riddler, Excavations commenced at th.,e rear of no. 41 St. George's Street, Canterbury during the summer of 1985 and were completed in the autumn of the same year before the redevelopment of the area by the new owners of the adjacent building, C & A Limited. The main area of the excavation covered an area of c. 207 sq. m. with a smaller machine-cut extension to the north. Natural brickearth lay some 3.10 m. below the surface of the concrete raft of Period 5 (the 1985 ground surface). Of these stratified deposits, the top 1.60 m. was removed by machine, at the commencement of the excavation, in order to accelerate the excavation of earlier deposits. Period 1 up to c. A.D. 400 (Figs. 3 and 4) This period has been divided into two parts as follows: Period Ji (up to c. A.D. 150). A deposit of Belgic/early Roman topsoil, where it survived truncation, was cut by one large and numerous small clay-extraction pits, a scatter of post- and stake-holes and a slot. Period Iii (c. A.D. 150 to c. A.D. 400). Clay-extraction pits continued to be cut throughout this period. A scatter of post-holes and a few short slots were excavated. • Published with the aid of a grant from English Heritage (Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England). 59 P. BLOCKLEY Period Ji up to c. A.D. 150 (Fig. 3 and PI. I) THE BURIED ROMAN 'TOPSOIL' The majority of Period li features, over the southern half of the excavation, cut directly into the natural brickearth; the Belgic/early Roman layers _having been stripped off during this period. To the north, this topsoil (540, 681) survived to a depth of 15 cm. where it overlay the majority of Period 1i pits and post-holes. It was comprised of very clayey pale buff loam. Over a small area, in the east corner of the excavation, the topsoil was overlaid by three layers of clayey loam with high brickearth content, totalling 22 cm. in depth (520, 321, 532). POST AND STAKE-HOLES AND SLOT Due to considerable destruction by medieval pits, the pattern of postand stake-holes cannot be rationalised. They were filled with yellow to grey, very clayey loam with no evidence of packing material. Slot 639, backfilled with yellow brickearth and grey clayey loam was 25 cm. deep. Its association with numerous stake-holes in adjacent areas may suggest the remains of a flimsy timber structure, but not enough remains for any certainty and no floor levels were apparent. PITS Thirteen small pits and one large pit were located. These varied in depth from 18 cm. to 60 cm. and were probably cut as brickearth quarries. The largest (577) was 60 cm. in depth and, like the majority of smaller pits, contained a backfill of orange to grey very clayey loam, with much brickearth (597). The lower levels of the backfill (597D, 597E) contained charcoal flecks, burnt daub, occasional oyster shells, frequent pottery sherds, and a hob-nail sole indicative of rubbish disposal within the abandoned quarry pit. DATING SUMMARY Very few sherds of Belgic pottery were located from Period li contexts or indeed from any later contexts. The majority of postholes and pits contained no datable finds or pottery. Pits 572, 577 and layer 520 contained late-first to early/mid second-century sherds. Layer 579, part of the backfill of pit 577, contained a coin of Caracalla 60 / <:) I · , r "􀀄t. I . R-.. -I . ·; I I / ./' CQIJRTYARD A. ROMAN up to c. 450 10 CREMATION-, IIM8ER 81.IIL0ING 10 m (E•c.•p1 D and E) 30 11 ••• St GEORGE'S 4AlK 􀀄􀀅􀀆:::i􀀇J FLINl NOOULES RAGSlONE '--'-"'-'....2.J CAEl!SlOHE LOCATION OF SECTIONS 0 s .. 􀀿 It EXT£Nlt0N - 14 ·00 m 0.0. Fi'g . 2 · No. 41 St George's Street: Sections. 5 I - 14·00 m 0.0. - 14·00 m o.o. UNE XCAVATEO j l - ___ J '- 5 SECTION 5 P8t EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY (A.D. 198-199) suggesting that this pit was still being backfilled in Period lii and indeed may have been cut towards the very end of Period li. One of the layers within this pit also produced a firstcentury copper alloy ear-ring. Most of the Period 1i stratigraphy was either sealed or cut by levels dated to Period lii. CONCLUSIONS During Period li a series of scattered post- and stake-holes, a gully and clay-extraction pits were cut directly into the natural brickearth, suggesting that truncation had occurred at some time during Period li. The lack of Belgic pottery indicates that the area lies well outside the limits of Belgic settlement. Early Roman activity was limited to brickearth quarrying and refuse disposal. Period lii c. A.D. 150- c. A.D. 400 (Fig. 4 and Pl. I) As with the previous period, the scatter of post-holes and pits make little coherent pattern, due to the removal of large areas of stratigraphy by later pits. The sequence will, therefore, be described in blocks with an attempt to tie areas together by broadly contemporary layers. THE SEQUENCE During the early part of Period 1ii pit 577 continued to be backfilled. Once this process had been completed the pit was sealed by a deposit of orange-yellow and grey-buff mottled clayey loam (565, 596) up to 10 cm. thick. This was cut by post-holes 588, 592, 593 and 595, with predominantly mid to dark grey clayey loam fills; 588, containing a well-defined socket, was 40 cm. deep. Elsewhere in this area other broadly contemporary features include pit 638, small post-holes 627, 628, 640, 641, 685, 686, pit 518 (containing layers of clayey loam with much charcoal, burnt clay lumps and oyster shells), pit 582, postholes 575, 508 (with a backfill containing Roman tile and flint nodule packing, 50 cm. deep) and 555. In other areas a layer of buff, brickearthy loam ( 440, 441,447, 523, 624) was cut by post-holes 438, 439, 500, 602, 616, 626 and pits 502, 609, 613, 618, 620, 623, 633 and 634. Amongst the objects located in these pits was a copper alloy ear-scoop (Fig. 14, no. 22) and a pair of hob-nail shoes from pit 502, and a melon bead (Fig. 34, no. 116) from the backfill of pit 613. Other features probably relating broadly to this period of activity include post-holes 510, 621, pits 511, 522 and 570 and slot 625. 61 0 PERIOD 1 i up to c. A. D. 150 r---·-·7 r·--.i i r-I ·-·-·1 I i 'i ! i i . i I • I I I I "\ .i j I· r· ---rL L__ --, I J -7 . ,.-· / ' 6S1i;) L--·J i i 651 0 6 29 I / \)􀀗 : l-.. foh69 .. ·-0630 : 􀀅39 3:- E.􀀂 /􀀸 􀀹 t--r,· :-._ I , 􀀋?. I . -􀀰•6,o 668 • I -􀀉 i-·---:. ..:, · · I i I 1 L. __ j l,;"·-·---------;;;7 J . I !J i \ ( r􀀃 1 /􀀘;»: L.--------7 r-􀀉-.... :.. : F􀀌􀀍l&u./ .. ·. . \ 1 mt\m \ i \, I \-􀀄42 ),91 691 'Q,, \ · m_ '.J f:::: 505 I :_) 6900 ________ •••• ____ o I ' _.,>-._ I r. ---7 / ,6110 I . I ... . ,,-----..: ( I I . I \, r ! 􀀘----._j I 6831 -- ! i 577 􀀉 r.r;;60i!-69􀀺k -- i -= L_j \ \_6g,"·-, L 6S<􀀇􀀈 0695 / . • 􀀩 -·•· ©A ·· ... /o.._􀀊-:L.._} ' I L Ji' 􀀞-c1 􀀟􀀠 612 {􀀡􀀢 -------- / ' ·1 􀀽/ 685 686 ------ l :.!!,: _s :8_ _ _ ' ·1 I i L_􀀃 Wm 5 jo n Fig. 4. No. 41 St. George's Street: PJ·n of Period Iii, c. 150 to c. 400. 􀀮 g < 􀀯 0 z V, --l► 􀀰 0 tT! 0 􀀱 0tT! Cl) 􀀲tT! -􀀳 􀀴 􀀵 tn 􀀱 a, C: 􀀶 P. BLOCKLEY Over certain areas these features were sealed by deposits of grey-brown brickearthy loam (429,484,513, 567 and 569). Features cutting these layers include pits 406, 506, 557 and 566 and post-holes 564, 565, 573, 580, 581, 587 and 590. Two of these (573 and 587) contained flint nodule packing and were 40 cm. and 50 cm. deep, respectively. Other patchy clayey loams were deposited over small areas. The latest features of this period consisted of post-holes 482 and 524, pits 424, 498, 612 and slots 411, 412 and 413. Of these, 412 and 413 contained many burnt daub lumps bearing wattle impressions. The backfill of pit 424 included an iron artillery bolt-head (Fig. 23, no. 66). THE PITS These were of similar dimensions to the pits of Period li and ranged from 8 cm. to 80 cm. in depth, averaging around 36 cm. They were probably all originally excavated for the quarrying of brickearth. Large pit 424 had a stepped profile and, as with pit 502, contained much pottery and general rubbish in the form of oyster shells, Roman brick fragments, charcoal flecks and animal bones. Other pits contained a cleaner backfill of brickearthy loam. DATING SUMMARY The majority of the earliest post-holes and pits of Period lii either cut into the natural brickearth or into Period li stratigraphy. Much of the pottery within these features was of residual late first- to early second-century date. Pit 502 produced mid second- to third-century sherds, with some late third- to fourth-century fragments in the latest backfill. Pit 614 produced a coin of the House of Constantine (A.D. 345-348) and was sealed by clayey loam 473, which itself yielded sherds of fourthcentury date and a residual second-century copper alloy brooch (Fig. 14, no. 18). A coin of Constantius II (A.D. 330-335) came from the latest backfill of pit 424 and the layer sealing this pit produced a further coin of Constantius II (c. A.D. 350-c. A.O. 360) and fourth-century pottery. Pottery of fourth-century date was also recovered from the backfill of pit 498. The stratigraphy of this period was sealed and in places cut by activity of Periods 2i and 2ii. 64 EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY CONCLUSIONS Activity of Period 1ii was limited to clay extraction, subsequent rubbish disposal and the cutting of post-holes perhaps for fence lines. Despite the presence of gully 625 and a few short slots, no certain traces of timber-buildings were apparent. The area probably remained as open ground throughout Period lii. The excavated area lay too far back from the defensive circuit, thrown up around the town in A.D. 275, to pick up the tail of the rampart. No trace was located either of an intra-mural street, or the Roman street running to the south-east from its intersection with the south-west/north-east street 60 m. north-west of the excavation. This street must, therefore, have terminated some distance short of the excavation (Fig. 1). Negative evidence was also produced regarding the early Roman cemetery in the St. George's area. 1 Period 2 c. 400 to c. 1000 (Figs. 4 and 5) This period has been divided into two parts as follows: Period 2i (c. 400 to c. 600). Sparse activity included a few rubbish pits and a sunken-featured building (Structure 1). Period 2ii (c. 600 to c. 1000). Three phases of activity were identified. Initially a period of clay quarrying, over a limited area, several other small pits and a gully/cess-chute; the construction of a timber industrial building (Structure 2A); the modification or rebuilding of this industrial building (Structure 2B). A series of hearths and three large rubbish pits were located in the yard adjacent to the building. Period 2i c. 400 to c. 600 (Fig. 5) Activity during Period 2i was sparse, but included one sunkenfeatured structure (Structure 1), two pits and a thin deposit of clayey loam. THE SUNKEN-FEATURED STRUCTURE- STRUCTURE 1 (Fig. 5, Pl. II) One end of this structure survived. It consisted of a sunken area, 60 cm. in depth, with a large post-hole (525) situated centrally along the 1 J. Pilbrow, Discoveries made during Excavations at Canterbury in 1868', Archaeologia, xliii (1871), 120, sites 14 and 15. 65 °' °' PERIOD 2 i · 􀀏- 400 - 􀀐- 600 547E -.- -,- s,a s2s -. - - 529 '' -/'/,. - --7 r'- -------------7 ' T 􀀊 526 _ - I I 1 . r _m _ -, . I i ' I c---.><' · j 376'1 ' •. , '17 / • ·r··. --- I 1// // -"'" 50 ,.., -􀀕- , i', I ' • 1//, 1/, 396\ 42􀂨 􀂩 :j,i)'' \ , 1 1 I ll Ll(-􀀇, _ ji._ ,' -----􀀰-!} ____ _j . I L.__ j s ,o m io tt Fig. 6. No. 41 St. George's Street: Plan of Period 2ii, c. 600 to c. 1000. tr:1 􀀇 < 􀀈 0 z Cl) 􀀉 􀀊 0m 0:;d 0 tI] Cl) Cl) 􀀋 _m 􀀌 z trl G;c:: 􀀌 P. BLOCKLEY GULL Y/CESS-CHUTE 444 This feature varied in depth from 44 cm. at its north-east end, to 100 cm. at its south-west end, with edges that had been severely weathered before backfilling was completed. The lower fill was of mid grey-brown clayey loam, while the latest backfill contained frequent burnt daub and charcoal flecks. RUBBISH PIT PRECEDING STRUCTURE 2A A shallow rubbish pit (530) was excavated adjacent to gully 444. STRUCTURE 2A Dumps of brickearthy loam (606, 607) sealed the subsidence hollows into the backfilled clay quarries. Three post-holes (499, 603, 605) were overlaid by a dump of grey clayey loam (493). This may also have been laid as a levelling layer and a rough 'floor'. It was cut by post-hole 478 and covered by thick spreads of charcoal (487, 494). A layer of grey clayey loam with charcoal flecks and burnt daub lumps (485) overlay the charcoal, and was in turn sealed by a thick layer of buff brickearth and a spread of charcoal ( 479). These deposits seem to represent working surfaces within an industrial structure. Pebble spread 601, possibly a yard surface, may have been contemporary with this phase of Structure 2. The working floors were sealed by dumps of grey brickearthy loam (466, 477) up to 25 cm. deep. Over the northern part of the excavation, the deposits within Structure 2A were not deeply stratified. The earliest features of Period 2ii consisted of three post-holes (513A, 514, 515) sealed by a layer of grey clayey loam. This was cut by slot 435, 30 cm. deep. Post-holes 449, 516A, 545 and 488,495,496, together with slot 431, were also stratigraphically early in the sequence, as was a working floor of flints bounded by heavy iron panning (376), 8 cm. deep. Post-holes which may belong to either Structure 2A or later Structure 2B include 562, 586 and 591. Post 516A and the surrounding stratigraphy were sealed by clayey loams containing oyster shells, burnt daub lumps and charcoal flecks. Pit 535 cut these layers, which were probably equivalent to the layers sealing Structure 2A in the southern area of the excavation A shortage of timber slots might suggest that this structure was predominantly based on ground-beams. Subsequent removal of the 70 EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY surrounding stratigraphy by medieval pits has prohibited any interpretation of the plan of this structure. STRUCTURE 2B This phase of Structure 2 consisted, initially, of post-holes 387, 388, 535; a scatter of stake-holes and slot 604, 50 cm. deep, cutting layer 466 which sealed Structure 2A. Slot 604 may represent the ground plate of a timber wall. Also contemporary with this phase of Structure 2 was pit 480, possibly pit 492 and two post-holes (486 and 489). These were sealed by patchy layers of grey and yellow brickearthy loam containing charcoal flecks and burnt daub lumps. The burnt brickearth base of a hearth ( 467) sat over these layers. It was sealed by a thin spread of charcoal capped by a further, more substantial, hearth base (462). Nearby, two layers of burnt brickearth represented another contemporary hearth base (393). Hearth base 462 was sealed by a spread of grey loamy clay (392), which contained a residual copper alloy ansate brooch of probable eighth-century form (Fig. 14, no. 25). In the north􀂅rn area Structure 2A was sealed by a patchy yellow clay floor (416, 417). The former overlay slot 435 and contained traces of burning in situ from hearth bases. Slot 431 was sealed by a deposit of yellow clay ( 430). Post-holes 404, 407, 426 and 427 were stratigraphically related to Structure 2B, but no wall bases or other structural elements were determined. Clay floor 417 was sealed by a thin charcoal spread and spreads of burnt daub lumps in yellow clayey loam, probably representing demolished ovens. These deposits were overlaid by a patchy clay floor (345). Floor 416 was overlaid by grey-green crumbly loam bearing traces of burning in situ. This was sealed by thin lenses of trampled occupation loams containing much charcoal and burnt daub lumps. Post-hole 407 cut this layer. Another patch of burnt loam (396/423), covered by spreads of burnt daub, suggests the site of another destroyed hearth. In places these deposits as with those to the south, were sealed by a layer of grey clayey loam. Elsewhere in the northern half of the trench, contemporary layers were severely cut by later activity. These layers included a pebble spread (333), sealed by a clay floor or hearth base with extensive burning (332), and hearth base 341. In other surviving areas of stratigraphy, layers of grey-brown clayey loam, usually containing charcoal flecks, were deposited. A lack of post-holes surrounding hearths 332,341,393 and 462 suggests that they were situated in an open area adjoining Structure 2B. 71 P. BLOCKLEY RUBBISH PITS CONTEMPORARY WITH STRUCTURE 2B (Table 1) Three large rubbish pits were excavated (248, 313, 318). Pit 248 cut stratigraphy on the edge of Structure 2B, whilst the other pits were not securely tied into the stratigraphy of the structure, due to later pit cutting. PIT 248 Pit 248 was excavated to its base. The lowest dumped backfill was of mid grey to yellow mixed clayey loam 85 cm. deep, containing some gravel (248H). This was overlaid by a series of thick alternating lenses of charcoal, dumps of oyster shells and clayey loam tips, derived from Structure 2B. A residual seventh- or eighth-century bone comb (Fig. 28, no. 97) came from one of the lower charcoal dumps. PIT 313 This pit was probed, only 30 cm. of its backfill having been excavated by hand. This consisted of mid brown clayey loam overlaid by a deposit of dark grey-green loose loam, in turn sealed by yellow-green stony clayey loam. PIT 318 Only 20 cm. of this pit was excavated by hand, the backfill being of dark grey clayey loam to orange-brown gravel and loam. DATING SUMMARY Seventh-century pottery, even in the earliest layers, was sparse, suggesting a period of abandonment during the first one hundred years of Period 2ii. Clay quarry 615, beneath Structure 2A, contained one sherd of eighth- or ninth-century pottery. Gully 444 produced a similarly dated sherd and pit 497 contained one sherd of pottery dating to c. 800-850. Levels within Structure 2A contained little pottery. One of the earliest charcoal spreads ( 487) and the burnt daub layer overlying it, yielded sherds dating to c. 750-800/825. Slot 435 produced pottery of c. 750-825/50. Sealing layer 466 yielded sherds dating to the ninth century, including fragments of a boss-decorated jar (p. 104). The above evidence suggests that Structure 2A was occupied during the first half of the ninth century. 72 EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY Structure 2B directly overlay Structure 2A. Very little pottery was produced from this structure. However, post-hole 453 yielded sherds dating to c. 950-1000. A layer sealing pit 480 produced ninth/tenth-century sherds, whilst sherds from the layer overlying hearth base 462 were dated to c. 925/50-975. Two of the three rubbish pits produced the largest collection of pottery. Within pit 248 the lowest charcoal and clayey loam deposits (248C), above the initial dumped backfill, yielded sherds dating to c. 925-950/75. The latest charcoal and oyster shell dump (248A) also contained sherds of c. 925-950/75. This later was sealed, after subsidence, during Period 3i. Pit 313 yielded pottery dating from c. 925/50-975 with later elements c. 975-1000, together with a residual silver coin of Aethelwulf of Wessex (c. 839 to c. 858). To summarise, therefore, Structure 2A appears to have been constructed in the early ninth century, continuing perhaps until c. 850. Structure 2B continued over the previous structure, but perhaps after a gap of about one hundred years, continuing its use until c. 1000 after which it was rebuilt (Period 3i). CONCLUSIONS Period 2ii, therefore, commenced with a period of limited clay extraction. This was sealed by the construction of an industrial structure of uncertain function of two broad phases. The lack of structural posts and timber slots suggested a structure based on ground-beams. Its boundaries were not clearly defined due to cutting by later pits, but it covered a minimum area bounded by slots 604, 435 and pit 248. Hearth bases beyond the suggested limits of Structure 2A/2B may have been situated in an open yard adjacent to the building. Period 3 c. 1000 to c. 1200 (Figs. 7-9) This period has been sub-divided into four parts as follows: Period 3i c. 1000 to c. 1080/1100. Structure 2 continued in use after a rebuild (Structure 2C). Period 3ii c. 1080/1100 to c. 1150. Structure 2C was abandoned. The whole area was given over to rubbish pits. Period 3iii c. 1150 to c. 1175. After backfilling of the rubbish pits, a clay-floored structure was built (Structure 3). Period 3iv c. 1175 to c. 1200. Structure 3, now out of use was cut by several rubbish pits and a large bronze smelting/casting feature. 73 P. BLOCKLEY Period 3i c. 1000 to c. 1100/1125 (Figs. 7 and 8, Pl. III) STRUCTURE 2C (Fig. 8, Pl. III) In the southern part of the excavation, Structure 2B of Period 2ii was overlaid by a thick spread of charcoal (386) which sealed all posts belonging to the earlier structure. This was in turn overlaid by a thin layer of buff-orange fire-hardened brickearth representing the base of a hearth (385), possibly on a clay floor. A further deposit of charcoal and loam (382), up to 6 cm. deep, was then deposited. At this point a spread of buff/yellow brickearth was laid, probably as a clay floor (378). It was cut by post-holes 381 and 384, the only structural elements located in this phase of the structure. It is likely that the walls of the building were based on ground-beams. The posts were sealed by a mixed layer of gravel and silty clay, containing some slag lumps, (200/372), which was continued in the area to the north by sandy gravel spread 247 and pebble working surface 319/353. Gravel layer 200/372 was covered by a deposit of grey-green clayey loam (371). This was cut by slot 380 and post-holes 357,373,374,375,377 and 383. At no other point was the pebble layer cut by structural features. The limits of Structure 2C were, therefore, impossible to define. To the south of slot 380, a hearth base of orange-brown fire-hardened brickearth (379) sat on gravel spread 200. It was overlaid by a thin deposit of charcoal (194), which itself was sealed by a series of clayey loam spreads (195 to 198). The entire area south of slot 380 was then covered by a further working surface of yellow silty gravel (192) over a bedding of brickearth. A spread of charcoal (191) covered part of this surface. Over the area to the north of these deposits, the stratigraphy lacked the charcoal spreads. Pebble spread 247 and working floor 319/353 were sealed by a deposit of fine grained dark grey-green clayey loam (246). This was in turn overlaid by pebble spread 245/297. Another deposit of fine grained dark grey clayey loam sealed this pebble spread. It contained heavy charcoal flecking and many oyster shells. At this point the structure appears to go out of use, and was sealed by Period 3ii loam and gravel horizons. OTHER PERIOD 3i STRATIGRAPHY Extensive cutting of stratigraphy by later pits destroyed most of the layers adjacent to Structure 2C. A small length of slot (218) cut a deposit of dark grey clayey loam. Nearby a yellow clay and pebble spread (330) may represent part of the courtyard adjacent to 74 --.J V, 0 PERIOD 3 · £. 1000 - 􀀐- 1200 r·---·-·1 r--- _j i \ · ·7 ,--- 1 "􀀃 i 356 .:)211 l l ! i i I i \ . _i i y:rs, r ! 􀀊_j . . L--; .I pt·-'' -􀀊-􀀋j ·I I I. l.! . . I L.__ : 5 10 m 30 ft Fig. 7. No. 41 St. George's Street: Plan of Period 3, c. 1000 to c. 1200. 30 rt PERIOD 3 iii · £.1150 - £.1175 r _ ,r- ·-·7I ,\ ·---,. ,I ..r--------, - ' l -- OJ. i ---- r·--1 ;: 1 I ' -11-· L_ ., i I I ,;,.-􀀌 I \---􀀆 +---. __ rr.; - €f¥{ . L __ J . • .· r-7 l􀀄,􀀅7 ! 1 I ' t L􀀜\􀀝J􀀞􀀟􀀠 􀀡, T r r r􀀂 ... i I \􀀍_I 􀀎 SUBSIDENCE / , .- '1 '-'-·--· --=·-- --· --- - . .,;,,-- ••------'- - I E􀀫.. 0 10 m t--.....,..,--,-..,.,. _ ..,,.._----'r--_􀀑,--1--------' 0 5 30 ft Fig. 10. No. 41 St. George's Street: Plan of Period 4i, c. 1200 to c. 1425. I 0 0 PERIOD 4 ii · £.1425 - £.1550 􀀎 r---py -􀀄-􀀅􀀆) ,1---::/-1􀀏 5 .I \ _________ <, 11 , , 11 t I DETAIL OF EARLY ( r·-' OVEN/HEAR.TH . .L STRUCTURE s a r ------·-·1 ' \ I ' \ I 􀀗 i O \ D.•···- \ I r---1 . I . r-__ ..}. I . I ( r::r -·--w·-·-' • · I I 0 􀀕- r-7 q __ 􀀖·:.:] __ · 􀀗-􀀘----· _􀀃9 10 m 30 It Fig. 11. No. 41 St. George's Street: Plan of Period 4ii, c. 1425 to c. 1550. EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY Pits 253 and 280 were also cut around this time, and pit 57 cut backfilled pit 74. After backfilling these pits, and the majority of the northern part of the excavated area, were sealed by a series of dark brown garden loams up to 70 cm. in depth (81, 90, 92, 99). Parts of the southern area were also sealed by a deposit of dark brown loam (259). TIIE POST GARDEN-SOIL PITS (Table 4) The garden loams were cut by a scatter of pits. They were predominantly backfilled with dark brown loam, although pits 16, 105 and 252 contained thin layers of charcoal and 87 and 95 many mortar fragments. Table 4 gives the depths of all the Period 4i pits. It will be evident from this that the majority of the pits were shallow. The deeper ones almost certainly represent cess pits. SLOT 164 This slot, containing a backfill of dirty white mortar lumps, was 5 cm. deep and of uncertain function. STRUCTURE 4 (Fig. 10) Little survived of this structure due to the truncation of Period 4i stratigraphy. However, part of the floor levels survived where they had subsided into an earlier pit (Fig. 2, section 5). These consisted of a yellow clay floor (65B) with a partially burnt surface, 7 cm. thick, overlaid by a thin spread of off white mortar ( 65A) which was in turn overlaid by another yellow clay floor 23 cm. thick (62). This in turn was sealed by a destruction layer containing many roof-tile fragments. Two shallow gravel-filled post-holes (86) may have been associated with this structure. THE EXTENSION (Fig. 2, section 4) Within the machine-cut extension, Period 3 garden soils were overlaid by furthei: deposits of garden loam during Period 4i. These were cut by a pit (310) containing a backfill of dark brown/grey clayey loam and frequent oyster shells. DATING SUMMARY The backfill of hollows created by the subsidence of earlier pits contained pottery dating to c. 1175-1225. Pre-garden soil pits pro- 87 P. BLOCKLEY duced pottery dating from c. 1200 to 1225 up to c. 1275-1300/1325. Garden loams sealing these pits yielded sherds dating to c. 1240-1275 with later pieces possibly as late as c. 1300. Pits cutting garden loams contained residual pottery mixed with the later sherds. Pit 95 yielded sherds dating to c. 1275-1350, whilst pits 16 and 77 produced pottery up to c. 1375-1425. Only one pit (294) yielded later sherds up to c. 1500-25/50 from the later backfilling. Obviously, the post-garden-soil pits were being cut by pits over an extended period. The floors of Structure 4 contained only residual pottery, but stratigraphically they post-dated the garden loams, so that they must be later than c. 1300. The pits were sealed over the southern part of the excavation by Structure 5 of Period 4ii. CONCLUSIONS The few pre-garden pits were overlaid by thick deposits of loam, presumably representing garden deposits. The cutting of the garden loams by pits after c. 1275-1300 seems to be a good indicator of dwellings having been built around this time on the St. George's Street frontage (Fig. 1). Structure 4 may represent a small outbuilding in the yard or garden of such a property. Period 4ii c. 1425 to c. 1550 (Fig. 11, Pl. V) Period 4ii saw the construction of Structure 5 and the cutting of a few rubbish pits. These deposits were truncated by machine stripping during the opening of the excavation. PRE-BAKEHOUSE LEVELS Pit 29 was cut and backfilled with grey/brown loam containing many burnt clay lumps and charcoal flecks. A thin layer of crushed chalk and a layer of dark brown clayey loam were used to level the subsidence into the pit. Elsewhere a levelling layer was deposited (179/180). STRUCTURE SA-THE BAKEHOUSE (Fig. 11, Fig. 2, Section 5, Pl. V) The levelling layers were cut by walls 132 and 133; the former constructed above a gravel-filled trench 65 cm. deep, whilst the latter had shallow foundations which were consequently poorly preserved. Construction deposits of crushed chalk and mortar were associated 88 EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY with these walls. Parts of two rooms were represented. The construction trench for wall 132 contained a ceramic spindle-whorl (Fig. 31, no. 109). The earliest internal feature consisted of a possible hearth base of black fire-hardened clay (175) overlaid by a thin spread of crushed burnt chalk. This had subsided into the pit beneath; the resulting hollow being backfilled with pale brown brickearth (174/657). Oven 182 may be broadly contemporary with 175. It consisted of a pitched-tile oven base of roof-tiles, set in yellow clay with an edging of horizontal tiles, which would have formed the sides and back of the oven. This oven was sealed by a thin spread of brown-green brickearth. A second phase in the life of the bakehouse was represented by the construction of two ovens (18 and 153). OVEN 18 (Fig. 2, Section 5) This was partly cut into the north wall of Structure SA; the rubble from the wall being laid as a levelling layer beneath the oven. Oven 18 was built with yellow clay, which had been burnt an orange-brown, and contained lumps of burnt clay perhaps re-used from the destruction of an earlier oven. The walls of the oven survived to a height of 10 cm. and were also of yellow clay, peg-tiles and chalk lumps. The burnt floor of the oven and its flue were sealed by a thin deposit of charcoal and ash. This was covered, in the stoke area by a thin layer of grey loamy brickearth, in turn overlaid by several layers of burnt clay (120). The oven and stoke area were sealed by buff brickearth containing burnt clay lumps, possibly the remains of a clay floor (142), covered by a thin trampled loam with charcoal flecks. A shallow depression cut the stoke area (141). After backfilling it was sealed by a yellow clay floor (139). A shallow depression (28) in the oven backfill contained an industrial lead weight. A second lead weight came from a shallow depression cutting floor 139 (Fig. 25, no. 85). OVEN 153 Oven 153 also abutted, but did not cut, wall 132. Though partially destroyed by a later pit, the oven was of similar construction to oven 18 with a base of yellow clay, burnt to a red-brown colour and raised at the edge to form the clay walls. A layer of fire-hardened brickearth on the oven base was overlaid by a thin spread of grey brown brickearth and ash, which in turn was sealed by a layer of buff brickearth. 89 P.BLOCKLEY FEATURES POST-DATING THE OVENS IN STRUCTURE SA (Fig. 2, Section 5) Pit 34 cut oven 153. The pit contained fine clayey loam which had been burnt to a rich brown colour. Two shallow pits (100, 107) cut the backfill of pit 34, and backfilled pit 107 was subsequently cut by pit 112, which contained a backfilling of buff brickearth, burnt brickearth lumps and roof-tile fragments. The burnt loam fill of pit 34 and oven fragments within 112 suggest that pit 34 may have contained a pitched-tile oven/hearth. Post-hole 102 cut this backfill and was sealed by a layer of grey loam (38) to level the pit beneath. The Period 4ii stratigraphy in this part of Structure SA was sealed by a compacted dark grey loam containing chalk and mortar rubble (33). This room was also cut by pit 190 and later pit 128. Small pit 109 and pit 251, which contained a backfill of large chalk blocks, a worked limestone block and gravelly loam, cut wall 132 after the first phase of the bakehouse had gone out of use. THE NORTHERN ROOM In this room, the layer of buff clay sealing pit 29 was cut by a post-hole and slot (9 and 11), possibly belonging to internal fittings. No floors survived, but a layer of grey-brown clayey loam may represent a levelling deposit beneath the earth floor. Slot 134 and post 135 may be parts of the north wall of this room. A scatter of nearby stake-holes could also represent elements of an entrance into the room from the adjacent yard. Post-hole 27 cut wall 133 and must either represent a repair to the wall or a feature post-dating the structure. THE GARDEN/YARD To the east of Structure SA two shallow slots (177, 178) probably belong to a shed built against the bakehouse. Elsewhere a few scattered post-holes, slot 241 and several rubbish pits were located. THE PITS (Table 5) Most of the pits were shallow and backfilled with grey clayey loam, yellow clay and contained oyster shells, tile fragments and animal bones indicative of rubbish disposal. Many had been truncated by the machine-stripping of the site. Pit 2 was not bottomed, but its depth suggests that it might have been a cess-pit. Pits 54 and 91 contained organic loam in their lower fill, suggesting a similar function. Several 90 EXCAVATIONS AT ST. GEORGE'S STREET, CANTERBURY of these pits produced objects which may have been used by the occupants of the structures on the St. George's Street frontage or the bakehouse (Structure 5A). The backfill of pit 17 included an iron key (Fig. 20, no. 49), a buckle (Fig. 21, no. 64), a pair of scissors (Fig. 23, no. 74), a carpenter's 'dog' (Fig. 24, no. 83) and a stoneware spindle-whorl (Fig. 31, no. 110). Pit 63 included a key (Fig. 20, no. 45), buckle (Fig. 21, no. 63), a spur (Fig. 22, no. 65) and a sickle (Fig. 24, no. 75). TABLE 5: TABLE OF PERIOD 4ii PITS Pit number Depth (cm.) Pit number Depth (cm.) 2 200 NB T 69 34T 13 43 T 70 120 NB T 14 21 T 91 160 T 17 120T 106 23 29 90 107 38 34 90 109 22T 51 50 112 55 53 150 128 38 T 54 110T 130 63 T 61 106 T 190 36 63 100T 251 93 67 94 T- truncated; NB - not bottomed THE EXTENSION (Fig. 2, Section 4) Within the machine-cut extension a series of garden loams were observed. DATING SUMMARY Levelling layers beneath Structure 5A sealed Period 4i stratigraphy. Much of the pottery was residual, but the latest fill of pit 29 contained sherds dating to c. 1475-1525. Structure 5A again yielded residual sherds, but one of the loam layers in the northern room over pit 29 produced sherds of c. 1525- 1550 date. Pits cutting the structure contained only residual sherds. A construction date around 1500-1525 is, therefore, suggested, after abandonment of the area or its use as a garden, during the early part of Period 4ii. 91 P. BLOCKLEY Pit fill 17A produced a fifteenth-century French jeton (p. 109, no. 16) and pit 91 yielded a fifteenth-century copper alloy strap-end (Fig. 17, no. 35). The pits in the garden yielded pottery of a wide date range. Pit 54 contained pottery of c. 1450-1475 in its lower cessy fill and c. 1524- 1575 in its upper fill, but a shallow depression cut by this pit contained sherds of c. 1475-1500/1525. Pit 2 yielded sherds of similar date. The majority of the deeper pits, therefore, seem to be contemporary with Structure SA, dating from c. 1450-1525, containing material up to c. 1550. Structure SA may have been in use until c. 1550. It was sealed by Structure SB of Period 5. CONCLUSIONS The early years of this period saw the area perhaps as a garden until the construction of the bakehouse (Structure SA) around 1500-1525. This almost certainly lay behind a structure on the St. George's Street frontage, and was probably a detached kitchen. The yard/garden to the rear saw the cutting of a few rubbish and cess-pits, but not in great quantity. Structure SA continued, after modification, as Structure SB. Period 5 c. 1550 to 1985 (Fig. 12) All Period 5 levels were truncated by the machine-stripping of the excavation. Two main phases of activity have been identified. Firstly, the rebuilding of Structure SB, a bakehouse or detached kitchen, with associated boundaries and pits. Secondly, after bomb destruction of the area in the Baedecker raid of 12th June, 1942, the construction of a large department store with deep concrete footings. STRUCTURE SB (Fig. 12 and Fig. 2, Section 2) This bakehouse was rebuilt with a flint and mortar dwarf wall and furnished with a thick yellow clay floor and a large pitched-tile oven/hearth. The pitched-tile oven was sealed by a chalk spread, and subsequent clay floor. The latest oven was constructed with a brick floor. This was sealed by demolition deposits and grey loam with mortar and brick rubble, and the sequence was cut by foundations for the concrete footings of the post-war structure. PITS (Table 6) The few pits were concentrated mainly in the southern half of the excavated area. The earliest were 31 and 56; pits 5, 96, 114 and 136 92 \0 w PERIOD 5 · 􀀏.1550 - 1985 r·-- i BAKEHOUSE 1:::": 􀀆. J! L.􀀇 ·v -¥::::.., .:. :=· .. ,[J:J i Ii I ( i i r:- i CIJ j r4'. 4'. o ________ j i 􀀂 nr􀀋-r·- -------- . -·7 I i lr:'\ J