Burial ground and roman ruins discovered in one of the most iconic cities in England

By Emma Grafton-Williams

 IN 2011, a roman burial ground had been discovered in St Dunstan’s street, Canterbury.

Around 150 graves were found on the site, which formed an important suburb of the Roman and medieval city.

Director Paul Bennett said the graves were of men, women, young people and children. Archaeologists also discovered clay floors, tile hearths, masonry-lined wells, clay quarries and rubbish pits were also uncovered.

Less than 300 yards away, ancient roman ruins were found under the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

The theatre dates back from the late second and early third Centuries.

Archaeologists have found the remains of the building’s under-floor heating, leather shoes, seeds and a plate. 

James Holman said: “It’s very unusual to find buildings of this type in this area of Canterbury, this side of the river Stour. A lot of it has been disturbed by earlier buildings, when they built this theatre in the 30s and when it was redeveloped in the 80s”. He said that lots of the archaeology had been removed so there isn’t enough of it left to preserve it. 

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