Editing Canterbury (section)

=== Early history ===

{{main|Durovernum Cantiacorum}}

The Canterbury area has been inhabited since [[prehistoric Britain|prehistoric times]]. [[Lower Paleolithic]] axes, and [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]] pots have been found in the area.<ref>{{harvnb|Lyle|2002|p=16}}.</ref> Canterbury was first recorded as the main settlement of the [[Celtic tribe]] of the [[Cantiaci]], which inhabited most of modern-day [[Kent]]. In the 1st century AD, the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] captured the settlement and named it [[Durovernum Cantiacorum]].<ref name=ly29/> The Romans rebuilt the city, with new streets [[Roman urban planning|in a grid pattern]], a [[Roman theatre (structure)|theatre]], a [[Roman temple|temple]], a [[forum (Roman)|forum]], and [[Roman baths|public baths]].<ref name=lyle43/> Although they did not maintain a major military garrison, its position on [[Watling Street]] relative to the major Kentish ports of [[Rutupiae]] ([[Richborough]]), [[Dubrae]] ([[Dover]]), and [[Lemanae]] ([[Lymne]]) gave it considerable strategic importance.{{sfn|Godfrey-Faussett|1878|p=29}} In the late 3rd century, to defend against attack from [[Saxon invasions of Britain|barbarians]], the Romans built an earth bank around the city and a wall with seven gates, which enclosed an area of {{convert|130|acre|ha|0}}.<ref name=lyle43>{{harvnb|Lyle|2002|pp=43–44}}.</ref>

Despite being counted as one of the 28 cities of [[Sub-Roman Britain]],<ref name="nenny" /><ref name="nashford" /> it seems that after the [[End of Roman rule in Britain|Romans left Britain in 410]] Durovernum Cantiacorum was abandoned for around 100 years, except by a few farmers and gradually decayed.<ref name=":1">{{harvnb|Lyle|2002|p=42}}.</ref> Over the next 100&nbsp;years, an [[Anglo-Saxon]] community formed within the [[Canterbury city walls|city walls]], as [[Jutes|Jutish]] refugees arrived, possibly intermarrying with the locals.<ref>{{harvnb|Lyle|2002|pp=42, 47}}.</ref> The town's new importance led to its revival, and trades developed in pottery, textiles, and leather. By 630, [[gold coin]]s were being struck at the Canterbury mint.<ref>{{harvnb|Lyle|2002|pp=48–50}}.</ref> In 842 and 851, Canterbury suffered great loss of life during [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danish]] raids.