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TV archaeologists scour city’s river

Archaeologists filming a TV show for Sky uncovered a haul of artefacts and treasure items as they scoured the riverbed in Canterbury city centre. From an elaborate silver ring, to a huge jagged bomb fragment and tobacco pipe, the River Hunters team had “outstanding success” in finding secrets banished to the depths of the Stour. Combing the riverbed at multiple locations - in Westgate Gardens, by Greyfriars Chapel, Eastbridge Hospital and at Toddlers Cove - they spent two days in the city, in what is believed to be the first thorough search of its kind.

The popular Sky History show, which is now in its second season, is to air on Monday. Underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead, who joins show regulars Rick Edwards and Beau Ouimette in the Canterbury episode, was blown away by what the Stour had to offer.

“It was an amazing trip and an outstanding success,” he said. “The objects we found are really exciting discoveries and help contribute to our understanding of Canterbury’s history. “As the city is a protected site we were very mindful of the fact we couldn’t dig very big holes in the riverbed, we could only move the loose stuff an inch or so. It was always going to be a challenge but we found so much. “Canterbury has a very rich history and is a multi-period site dating back to the Romans right the way through to now, so there is loads to discover. We’ve learned not to be surprised by anything.”

A silver signet ring dating to the 17th century with the engraved initials ‘WS’ was found by Gary, while medieval roof tiles were uncovered at Toddlers Cove.

Unfired bullets and debris from the Second World War were also found, but the team’s main focus was to locate items dating back to the height of pilgrimage in the 12th century - and not long into their search, that is exactly what they discovered. “Perhaps the most important objects we found were dress accessories, they were buckles we could date to the late medieval period,” Gary said. “They were objects that could

have been worn by not just the citizens of Canterbury at that time, such as merchants and traders, but also the pilgrims. “The pilgrimages to the city shaped Canterbury as it is now so they are hugely important “The most exciting find was just within a stone’s throw of Westgate Towers. It was a crucible, which is a ceramic vessel used to melt metal. We know through a lot of research that

that is exactly the type of object which craftsman - perhaps commissioned by the Cathedral would have used to manufacture pilgrim badges.” Those badges acted as pilgrimage souvenirs for travellers to purchase and wear - similar to how we now buy mementos from gift shops.

Gary said: “To find a crucible which would likely have manufactured the badges was remarkable. I can’t overemphasise how excited I was when we discovered that.”

The finds are set to become part a ‘handling collection’ to be taken around Kent schools as part of history lessons. Gary is certain that if an archeological excavation were to focus on the river bed near to the ducking stool, a bigger haul of artefacts could be discovered. River Hunters airs on Sky History at 9pm on Monday. Filming took place last August.

‘The objects we found are really exciting discoveries and help contribute to our understanding of Canterbury’s history’

A large bomb fragment from the Second World War was pulled from the River Stour

Bullets and a Nokia phone cover, top left, were found by the River Hunters, along with a buckle from the medieval period

Gary Bankhead