Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

During an archaeological watching brief undertaken in 1991-1992 at the site of a post medieval grave yard and possible earlier post medieval plauge pits, in association with the A20 road and sewer scheme two cuts possibly representing the location of post medieval graves were uncovered. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• GRAVE (Post Medieval - 1800 AD? to 1899 AD?)

Full description

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This project consisted of a major archaeological watching brief and excavation programme, conducted across an extensive part of the maritime and water-front areas of this important historic town, ahead of major road construction and sewer trenching, between the summer of 1991 and the spring of 1993. There were 21 areas of archaeological investigation: the seventh was 'The Graves' on the lower slopes of Western Heights, above Meggar Instruments works. This is the traditional site of 17th century plague pits. A measured survey of the area ahead of sewer trenching was undertaken and a machine cut test-trench was dug. The features uncovered include 19th century brick vaults, fences and paths. The finds recovered include a 18th-19th century grave-stone.

On the slopes of the Western Heights, above the Pier District, lies a small area of ground adjacent to the old road to Folkestone, known as 'The Graves'. This isolated spot is the traditional site of Dover's seventeenth century plague cemetery, although documentary evidence suggests that it continued to be used for burials until the nineteenth century. During the winter of 1991/92 a detailed survey of the area, now heavily wooded, was undertaken ahead of the cutting of a trench for a new branch sewer across the site. two pit-like features were noted approximately 2.00 m. apart. These possibly represent grave cuts though only a small section of them was seen and no buried remains were discovered within. (1-2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Dover Sewers/A20 Project 1991–3, Assessment Report and Updated Project Design (Unpublished document). SKE31815.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1992, 'The Graves' Level III Archive Report (Unpublished document). SKE17988.

Sources and further reading

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