Investigations in this field by P.G. Laver in 1927-9. Diagonal trench cut SW from the gateway - it was hoped that the first part would locate the intervallum road. The NE end of the trench was full of broken tiles, mortar and gravel, the residue of the plundering of the gate for building material. "At a depth of 3ft we were satisfied that neither road or drain had existed here". A midden heap almost entirely of oyster shells was found 118ft from the gate and proved to be the overflow of a rubbish pit (pit 1) - circular, 8ft deep, 8ft in diameter, and full almost entirely of oyster shells and pottery. No stratification was observed - the fill had overflowed and formed 3 small mounds on top. Fragments of a number of decorated sigillata bowls of f.37 of Flavian date date it to the end of the 1st century AD. There was also a coin of Domitian and a fibula with rectangular enamelled plate. Hole dug through the stiff loam at the bottom of the trench - beneath the 2ft of loam was a dark occupation layer, c.8" thick, lying on natural gravel. Total depth to the gravel was 5ft 11". Plan-sketch showing trenches in this source. <1>