by Keyan Milanian

kmilanian@thekmgroup.co.uk

An archaeologist has stumbled on one of the most exciting finds of his 30-year career close to Rochester Cathedral.

Graham Keevill, the cathedral archaeologist for three-and-a-half years, says the discovery of a 14th or 15th century window in a Roman wall near the historic building means a previously undetected building is lying beneath about six feet of soil close to King’s Orchard.

Mr Keevill, who graduated with an archaeology degree from Leicester University in 1980, has worked as a freelance archaeologist ever since and lists the discovery as one of his three most exciting finds.

Him and his team, including fellow archaeologists Alan Ward and Melinda Henderson, started exploratory work on the wall on Monday, May 24, and made the discovery of the stone window frame “punched through” the older Roman wall on Thursday, May 27.

He said: “My most exciting finds have been an unknown Roman villa in Northamptonshire which was fantastically preserved, and my best one was at the Tower of London when we were digging in the moat and we found a completely unexpected tower.

“That will probably go on to be the highlight of my career but this is not far behind.

“It is quite a tremendous find because we were not expecting it.

“Every now and then things like this happen, you have times when you are sitting in a field and it is raining and you think 'why am I doing this?’ but then you find something of this quality and you know this is what you do the work for.”

The window frame is believed to be made of Reigate stone.

It may need to be protected from the elements as studies have shown it can corrode easily if left exposed, although Mr Keevill said he hoped to be able to have the building on display in one form or another.

He said he believed the building was used to house the warden of the medieval infirmary.

The dig, involving three small holes at the moment, has been funded by English Heritage and through landfill tax.

The team will now apply to carry out further digs in the area.