Canterbury Roman Tower Exhibit
Early Excavations: Watching Brief 2004
The first archaeological investigations of the Roman tower area took place during the construction of a cycle facility, and was a later addition to the much larger Whitefriars Project. A trial trench was opened at the top of St. George’s Street, near St. George’s Clocktower in 2004 to investigate the archaeological potential of the site.
This trench revealed part of a substantial Roman wall, measuring approximately 2.3 metres thick and 2 metres in exposed length. The wall was constructed primarily from whole flints and sandstone. This important discovery provided the initial evidence that encouraged further excavation in the area.
Further Discoveries (2005 Excavations)
In 2005, additional trenches were excavated, leading to more significant findings. Archaeologists uncovered two large cut stone slabs set in mortar, still in their original position and sealed beneath rampart soils.
Further excavation revealed:
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Seven ragstone slabs without mortar
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A slab of corallian limestone, likely imported from a quarry in France rather than sourced locally in Kent
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Layers of ragstone rubble arranged in two roughly horizontal courses, partially overlaying the mortared slabs
They are tentatively interpreted as part of the northern side of a gateway. The rest could have been added at the same time, or later, and apparently represent the remains of an earlier structure, possibly a retaining wall associated with the rampart.
The Roman Tower and City Defences
This site is unique within Canterbury, as it is the only location where a Roman tower can still be seen embedded within the earth bank behind the city wall.
The tower’s rear wall is estimated to have been around 16 feet (approximately 4.9 metres) long and positioned about 17 feet (5.2 metres) behind the main line of the city wall.
The construction of these defensive features dates to around 270–290 CE. While much of the visible flint stonework belongs to the medieval period, the original Roman layout of the rampart has been preserved.
Foundations and Dating Evidence
To better understand the construction timeline, archaeologists dug sample trenches beneath the mortared slabs that formed the tower’s base. These trenches reached a foundation layer made up of small to medium-sized flints mixed with coarse yellow sand.
Within this layer, pottery fragments were discovered dating from approximately 175–250 CE. This provides a terminus post quem—the earliest possible date at which the tower could have been constructed.
Although the deeper layers beneath the tower were not fully excavated, the material recovered from above this foundation layer offers valuable insights into activity at the site.
Artefacts and Daily Life
During the excavation, artefacts were uncovered that help us understand everyday life in Roman Canterbury. Other finds from later time periods were also found, and these show us how life changed in this part of the city. Replica objects from the post-medieval, medieval, Anglo Saxon and Roman period are on display in the Tower and more information about these objects can be viewed below.
Pottery
Pottery was the most common find, including:
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Samian Ware, a high-quality Roman tableware
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Post-Roman ceramics, mainly in the form of bowls and skillets
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Other Materials
In addition to pottery, artefacts were made from a variety of materials:
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Iron
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Copper alloys
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Glass
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Bone
Objects uncovered included brooches, buckles, blades, beads, pins, and even game pieces.
Interpreting the Finds
The diversity of artefacts from different time periods demonstrates how the site continued to be used and adapted over many centuries. Changes in materials and object types reflect evolving technologies and cultural practices.
Together, these finds provide a valuable glimpse into the daily lives of the people who lived and worked around the Roman tower, offering modern audiences a tangible connection to life in Canterbury nearly two thousand years ago.
The Finds on Display as Replicas
Lace Bobbin
A handle made of bone, possibly from a needlework tool such as a lace bobbin. It is turned, with baluster mouldings and a highly polished surface. A similar handle from Winchester has been dated to the mid to late eighteenth century (Hinton 1990f, Fig. 261: 2906, 867).
Length: 64mm
Maximum diameter: 12mm
F391 (1156)
Edward III Silver Coin
An incomplete copper-alloy half penny minted during the reign of King Edward III (r. 1327-1377). It is second (star-marked) coinage, Withers Type 5. The obverse reads E[DW]ARDVS[REX]ANG while the reverse reads CIVI/[T]AS/L[ON]/DON.
Weight: 0.553g
F221 (1061)
Copper Alloy Strap End
A composite copper-alloy strap end with decoration in the form of two openwork arches and registers of quatrefoil motifs terminating in an acorn knop at one end and the apexes of another two arches at the other. A similarly decorated openwork strap end from London was dated to c. 1350-c. 1400 (Pritchard 1991c, Fig. 97: 704, 148-149).
Length: 47mm
Width: 11mm
F27 (1000)
King Eadgar Silver Coin
A fragment of a silver halfpenny minted under King Eadgar the Peaceful (r. 959-975). The obverse is illegible. The reverse shows flowers and leaves springing from a line.
Weight: 0.301g
F236 (1060
Faience Melon Bead
A complete Roman period faience melon bead. It is pale turquoise blue in colour and has sixteen grooves on the outer surface incised at regular intervals, some of which are mostly eroded. A similar bead from London dates to c. 50 CE-c. 200 CE (PAS LON-7030E4)
Length: 15mm
Diameter: 20mm
F1260 (1156)
Colchester Derivative Brooch
A fragmented copper-alloy Colchester Derivative brooch with plain wings, a central ridge and a knobbed foot. This example is similar to a brooch from site CW29 (Cat. No. 138, not illustrated), and also to a brooch from the Marlowe Car Park excavations dated to c. 75 CE-125 CE (Mackreth 1995, Fig. 403: 19, 960-961).
Length: 39mm
F991 (1307)
Gaming Counter
A flat Roman period gaming counter made of bone. The only extant decoration is a small central hole on one side, which resulted from the manufacturing process. Some surface degradation is evident. A similar piece found in London dates to c. 50 CE-c. 410 CE (PAS LON-ED73DA).
Diameter: 14mm
Thickness: 3mm
F865 (1259)
Copper Alloy Stud
A small cast copper-alloy stud in a quatrefoil shape with four asymmetrical rounded lobes. A circular copper-alloy rivet passes through its centre. It likely dates to the medieval period. A similar mount found in North Lincolnshire dates to c. 1350-c. 1400 (PAS NLM-34A3B3).
Diameter: 12mm
F222 (1061)
Copper Alloy Buckle
A rectangular copper-alloy buckle with an incomplete frame and possible traces of decoration. The pin bar is circular with the pin present. The pin narrows to a point at its end. It is likely medieval or post-medieval in date. A similar buckle was found at Dover (PAS PUBLIC-939EEA).
Length: 32mm
Width: 16mm
F213 (1058)
Bone Parchment Pricker
Parchment pricker, with a spherical head and registers of horizontal banding at the neck, shoulder and down the shaft. The base has been squared off rather than tapered and the metal point is missing. A similarly-ornate example from London has been dated to c. 1350-c. 1400 (Egan 1998, Fig. 210: 905, 272-274).
Length: 70mm
Diameter of head: 7mm
F202 (1049)
Copper Alloy Needle
A large copper-alloy needle with a thick circular shaft and a small round eye. The shaft is bent slightly. It was possibly used for sewing leather. A similar example identified as a cloak pin was found in Durham and dates to the Anglo Saxon period.
Length: 106mm
F15 (5074)
Iron Hobnails
A pair of iron hobnails with domed irregular hemispherical tops. Hobnails were used for holding together the three main pieces of leather that were used for Roman footwear. Similar hobnails from Wiltshire, Somerset, and Warwickshire date to c. 43 CE-c. 410 CE (PAS LVPL-E84EAF).
F1302 (1259)
Click for 3-D model
Bone Hairpin
Complete Roman period bone pin, probably used as a hairpin, with a small, club-shaped head, the style of which conforms to Type B1.7 of Greep’s typology. The short, broad stem may have been broken and re-worked to a point for subsequent re-use.
Length: 51mm
Width of head: 4mm
F189 (1017)
Flint Slingshot
A collection of five flint balls. Naturally-round flints like these may have been brought to the site from elsewhere. Considering their close proximity to and high concentration within the Roman Tower area, they may have been used as ammunition for slings, though it is very difficult to prove this connection.
(1032) F941
(1049) F1469
(1059) F1471
(1259) F1303
(1336) F1470
This webpage was compiled by volunteers who kindly assisted with photography, finds research, 3-D modelling and writing the introductory text. With thanks to: Illia Shabalkin, Cameron Lyon and Bruce Hunter.