ndihe surrounding district K
Until 1975 archaeology in Canterbury was in the devoted hands of members of the
Canterbury Archaeological Society and a few visiting archaeologists who came to dig from
time to time. Other historic cities such as London, Gloucester, Lincoln, Oxford,
Winchester and York unlike Canterbury have had Archaeological Units for some years, and
have received massive support,which still continues, from the Department of the
Environment, whereas Canterbury's grant for 1976/7 is only £6,000.
Canterbury archaeologists,with support from The Department of the Environment and the
City have now founded the Trust, which has appointed Mr. Tim Tatton-Brown Director of
Archaeology. On the threshold of his career, he is highly qualified and has worked in the City
of London and other English medieval cities, as well as ltaly, Libya, Turkey and Carthage.
The Castle Street dig in the heart of the walled Roman City has proved 2,000 years of
continuous settlement, and the prospect of finding great riches in the new City area, now
120 square miles including Herne Bay and Whitstable, is becoming a reality.
Canterbury City Museums, which have cared for the City's archaeological
treasures for more than 150 years,together with The Branch museum currently being set-up
iin.stable, will now also preserve and display those from the new District. Finds which
before might have ended up in The British Museum, in Oxford, Cambridge or Liverpool
will now enrich the fine collections in Canterbury's Royal Museum,one of the attractions
for today's three million pilgrims — tourists and scholars alike — who come to explore
Canterbury's past and marvel at its achievements.
Roman glass flagon
3rd century. Found in
the lake at Bourne Park
Bishopsbourne.
Height 9.2"
Copyright:
Canterbury Royal Museum
 10.