KE N TA RC H A E O LO G I C A LS O C I E T Y newnewIssue number 60ss ll ee tt tt ee Springrr 2004 WH I T E F R I A R S Inside 2-3 X-ray unit finds Library Notes 4-5 HI G H L I G H T S Piltdown memories etween November 1999 and Grants & new books December 2003, the Whitefriars 6-7 area of Canterbury was the scene Lectures, Courses, of the largest series of excavations Conferences & Events ever undertaken within the city. 8-9 Working behind the demolition Notice Board contractors, and ahead of 10-11 the construction teams, Canterbury Archaeological Trust was involved in a ‘Ideas & Ideals’ rolling programme of work investigating The Tractarians some 5% of the area contained within the 12-13 city walls. Three major open-area excava- Mystery objects tions were undertaken, at times employing Victorian recycling up to 65 archaeological excavators, together A call to arms with numerous finds and support staff. In 14-15 addition, the project was interspersed by a Letters to the Editor series of smaller site investigations and an Kent Records almost continual watching brief presence. Crundale late Looking back over the four years of site work, it is not difficult to pick out some of bronze age hoard the many highlights. The Roman town 16 houses, with their evidence of under-floor Cleaning the subterranean vaulted latrine. Shiela Broomfield heating systems (see overleaf), floors with mosaic panels, and fine painted walls, tle care for their positioning: one was the body of a young woman lain centrally would rank highly. These were probably the buried face down, another with its limbs within it. This is one of the many instances residences of the towns elite and probably tucked under the body. Of probable fourth where archaeology can only tell part of the dated to the third century AD. Another fea- century date, yet buried within the town story: was this the burial of the occupant? ture would have to be the wall turret, walls, their nature and location appears to We shall never know. abutted against the line of the Roman town show scant disregard for the normal The most dominant medieval structure wall, erected in AD 270-90 as part of the set- Roman burial practices. was the Austin friary, later called Whitefriars tlement’s defences. Still standing some Representing the Anglo-Saxon period and so giving its name to this area of 1.50m high, it was a totally unexpected dis- would be the intact lengths of cobbled Canterbury. Documentary evidence indicates covery. Perhaps the most intriguing Roman roads, possibly the earliest evidence for that the establishment, founded in 1324, discovery, however, was the line of eight the origin of Canterbury’s street plan, as finally covered an area of 1.5 acres, and a articulated bodies buried unceremoniously well as the many sunken-floored struc- large part of this area was uncovered during within a shallow ditch. The bodies had been tures which were located across the devel- the course of the Whitefriars project. placed in the ditch at different times, since opment area. Interestingly, these were Revealed were parts of the church, main some were intercutting, with apparently lit- nearly always located along or adjacent to cloister, possible infirmary cloister and sig- the lengths of former Roman roads, sug- nificant elements of the southern range gesting some form of continuity for these which included the kitchens, refectory, dor- early routes. Another Anglo-Saxon feature mitory and the latrine. The latter (see above) Your AGM information of note, probably of tenth century date, was quite spectacular, being formed from a (and Annual Report) is inside - we hope to see you there! was a cellared structure which, after aban- donment, had been partly backfilled and continued on page 2 Spring 2004 www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 1 continued from page 1 the most wonderful sequence of cess whom will have left with a far greater deposits. These will undoubtedly shed light understanding of Canterbury’s archaeology vaulted structure, set down into the ground on the diet and health of the friars. than they had before. to a height of some 5.50m, and containing Alongside the archaeological work With completion of the exc a v a t i o n was an ambitious programme of public work just before Christmas last year, a pro- involvement, principally taking the form of gramme of post-excavation analysis is now a ‘Big Dig’ visitor centre. This public in full swing. With thousands upon thou- involvement initiative enabled people to sands of artefacts to process and analyse, view the excavations in progress from an paper records and plans to examine and X-RAY UNIT aerial walkway, where volunteer stewards photographs to study, this is no mean task, PROBES BIG were on hand to explain what was hap- and it is not projected to finish until sum- pening. Alongside was a visitor centre dis- mer 2007. However, when complete, the DIG FINDS playing some of the finds, together with resulting publications on the Whitefriars X-RAY UNIT information boards explaining previous area of Canterbury will undoubtedly re- and ongoing work. The visitor centre write the history of this important city. PROBES BIG attracted many people during the course of DIG FINDS the project, perhaps the most rewarding Alison Hicks X-RAY UNIT groups being the school parties, many of Whitefriars Project Co-Director PROBES BIG DIG FINDS X-RAY UNIT PROBES BIG DIG FINDS CANTERBURY’S X-RAY UNIT X-RAY UNIT PROBES BIG PROBES BIG DIG FINDS DIG FINDS anterbury Archaeological Archaeological X-ray Unit, deepen- X-RAY UNIT Trust’s compact Faxitron ing his understanding of the latest X-ray analysis unit is work- X-ray techniques for non-intrusive PROBES BIG ing overtime helping assessment of metal objects. DIG FINDS to assess thousands of Adrian Murphy says: “The metal artefacts from Bradford course was very valuable, X-RAY UNIT the Whitefriars series of especially the part of the pro- PROBES BIG excavations. gramme concerned with digitising The X-ray equipment was pur- and enhancing images. This train- DIG FINDS chased last year following a £6,000 ing came at just the right time as X-RAY UNIT donation from the Friends of the we are now very busy with objects Canterbury Archaeological Tr u s t . from Whitefriars, which range PROBES BIG This was followed last November from iron knives, household and DIG FINDS by a second donation to fund train- architectural fittings, to bronze ing for Trust Conservation mounts, coins (for identification) The 5cm diameter disc and its ‘instant’ X-RAY UNIT X-ray showing the heraldic design. Assistant Adrian Murphy. He spent and rather delicate cosmetic items PROBES BIG two days at Bradford University’s such as tweezers and ear scoops. continue to save money for the DIG FINDS We have two main Trust for years to come.” Adrian Murphy examines some of the recent X-rays of tasks. The first is to The major advantage of X-ray X-RAY UNIT objects found in Whitefriars. examine objects and assessment is that the technique is PROBES BIG identify those which entirely non-destructive. It is also require assessment and ‘instant’, revealing the original DIG FINDS conservation by spe- form of a metal object and any fine X-RAY UNIT cialists. Here, it is detail, such as decoration. One important to set priori- recent example is a disc, with a 5 PROBES BIG ties as funds for conser- cm diameter and 1 cm thick, DIG FINDS vation are limited. found during the Whitefriars exca- Secondly, we are avail- vations. This copper alloy disc able to provide instant bears an heraldic design in relief support for experts (possibly part-enamelled). who may require X-ray * Membership of the Friends of photography of particu- the Canterbury Archaeological lar artefacts. Trust has been increasing over the Thanks to the past six months. More members Friends’ successful are needed, however, to support fund-raising, we no Canterbury’s professional archae- longer need to despatch ologists in important tasks, includ- these objects around ing the processing of the the country for X-ray Whitefriars finds. Contact analysis. We have the Canterbury Archaeological Tr u s t equipment at our (on 01227 462062), or complete Canterbury headquar- the form enclosed with this issue, ters. It is available at all to become a member of the times and is likely to Friends network. Spring 2004 2 DONATIONS TO LI B R A RY NOTES LIBRARY For the KAS History and Archaeology Show in the Maidstone Museum on 5 June, at which the work of over three dozen Kentish historical and archaeo- Tim Tatton-Brown has logical societies, trusts and groups will be on show, the KAS Library in the donated to the library a copy of Museum will be open to all visitors, and will contain displays of the work of his excellent book on Lambeth KAS committees, including Library, Publications, Fieldwork and Education. Palace. Should readers wish to LIBRARY Members of the committees will be on hand to explain and answer questions. acquire a copy for themselves NOTES Put this date in your diary now; anyone in the slightest interested in the his- at reduced price, they should tory and archaeology of Kent and Kentish locations must not miss this unique apply to Tim; tel.01722 334929. LIBRARY occasion, organised by Denis Anstey for the KAS with the assistance and coop- NOTES eration of Maidstone Museum. Mrs. Mary Butcher has Work by volunteers in the Library proceeds with all deliberate speed.