Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

The site of the Roman Saxon Shore fort of Portus Dubris (Dover). In 1929 Wheeler and Amos postulated that there was a Saxon Shore fort at Dover on the west side of the River Dour, some 5.5 acres in size. In the 1970’s the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit discovered substantial evidence for the presence of this fort. The Saxon Shore fort of Dover lay on the west bank of the Dour estuary, on ground overshadowed by high hills to the south-west under the modern town. The south and west walls of the fort have been located and form an obtuse angle (see illustration cards). The south wall, 2.42m thick, built of squared tufa and chalk blocks set in a hard white mortar, extends at least 120m eastwards from its junction with the west wall. Within some 5m of this wall was a fort ditch 7.8m wide. Several external towers have been found. One of the towers at least seems to be secondary to the fort's construction. In 1984 at Gaol Lane, excavations revealed further evidence of the south wall which was still standing 15 ft high. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• SAXON SHORE FORT (FORT, Roman - 270 AD to 330 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The site of the Roman Saxon Shore fort of Portus Dubris (Dover). In 1929 Wheeler and Amos postulated that there was a Saxon Shore fort at Dover on the west side of the River Dour, some 5.5 acres in size. (1)

Little evidence was found for this fort over the next forty years and an article by Rigold in 1969 was sceptical about its existence. (2)

In the 1970's however, the Dover Archaeological Group and Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit discovered substantial evidence for the presence of this fort during a series of rescue excavations in Dover’s town centre. Long lengths of both the south and west wall of the shore-fort were located during these excavations, in total 95m of the south wall and 105m of the west wall. Alongside the walls sections of the western ditch and berm and parts of 7 of the external bastions were also located. The Saxon Shore fort of Dover lay on the west bank of the Dour estuary, on ground overshadowed by high hills to the south-west under the modern town. The south and west walls of the fort have been located and form an obtuse angle. The south wall, 2.42m thick, built of squared tufa and chalk blocks set in a hard white mortar, extends at least 120m eastwards from its junction with the west wall. Within some 5m of this wall was a fort ditch 7.8m wide. Several external towers have been found. One of the towers at least seems to be secondary to the fort's construction. (3-12)

Note on a bath house associated with the Saxon Shore Fort. (13)

Within the Market Hall, Market Square, a 10m length of the south wall of the Saxon Shore fort was revealed, still standing 4m high and built of flint and tufa. Behind it was a bank c12m wide, beyond which was a layer of black soil 2m thick containing a large number of third and fourth century coins. Beneath these deposits lay demolished clay walls and floors of 2nd century buildings. Information from B. Philp. (14-15)

Rampart tips located in 1988-91 excavations. New coin evidence pushes the construction date for the Saxon shore fort slightly later than previuosly considered, a date of AD 275+ is reasonable. This would fit Dover into the 2nd phase of Shore fort building. The rear of 1 of the towers revealed that no intervening stratification formed between this and the fort wall, suggesting that the decision to add extra towers could have been taken during the construction period. MD features located on S. wall of the fort, consisting of pits, post-holes and a structure of some kind. (16)

During work on the Dover Spine Main water pipe trenching cut through the outer wall completely removing the southwest corner bastion. In additon two fagmentry PM graves were found (17-18).

Additional Info (19-23)

Section of wall (centred on TR3192541356) scheduled.

Personal Communication with Miles Russel, Author of "Roman Sussex"

"Considering how ineffective the Saxons would have been at siege craft, and their tendancy to raid rather than siege, the Saxon shore forts are rather redundant, they would have provided a grandstand view for the occupants to see their homes burnt and robbed and little else. However, if one considers that they were built to deal with possible retaliations from when Britain seceded from the Empire, the purpose of these forts begins to make sense. The Roman empire was very good at sieges, and 3m thick walls, (like those seen at Portchester or Reculver) would have been a deterrent to them, because they would have arrived in force and prepared for a lengthy siege."

From the Register of Scheduled Monuments:

Section of the Saxon Shore Fort standing some 15ft high. Visited by AM Board Committee who recommended that an area to E be scheduled as the site, may be a gateway.

Length of the S wall of Dover Saxon Shore fort, with D shaped external bastion. The wall was 2.4m wide and survived to a height of 3.3m. The wall had an external face of tufa blocks, an internal face of chalk blocks and a mixed rubble core. The bastion, built mostly of brick and flint, had been added to the front of a wall as a secondary feature. Wall was backed by an earthen dump rampart, and fronted by a ditch. The fort is thought to have been built in late 3rd century AD. This section of wall is very well preserved and stands within a sequence of archaeological deposits of Roman and post-Roman date, deposits waterlogged in their lower parts. Wall is part of of one of 10 British 'Saxon Shore' forts built in the late Roman period.

In Autumn 1952 trenches were dug in an attempt to locate the wall of the Roman Saxon shore fort at Yewden's Court. A second century poppy-head beaker was found. Other later floor levels were noted including a coin of Tetricus (AD 270-73) and Fourth century sherds. The Roman features were cut by a wide shallow medieval ditch and a recent foundation trench. Later medieval features were noted. (24)
Discussion of the Shore Fort in relation of the Dover Western Docks Revival Scheme (25)

L. Murray Threipland, 1957, Archaeologia Cantiana, Excavations in Dover Vol. 71 (Article in serial). SKE31703.

Brian and Edna Philp, 1974, CIB: Rescue Excavations in Kent 1972-1974: The Town Centre Excavation in Dover (Article in serial). SKE31869.

<1> E. G. J. Amos and R. E. M. Wheeler, 1929, Archaeological journal: The Saxon Shore fortress at Dover Vol. 86, Arch J 86 1929 47-58 (E G J Amos &R E M Wheeler) (Article in serial). SKE31895.

<2> S. E. Rigold, 1969, The Roman Haven at Dover; Archaeological Journal Vol. 126, Arch J 126 1969 78-100 (S E Rigold) (Article in serial). SKE32373.

<3> Philp, B. J., 1971, Kent Archaeological Review: The Discovery of the Classis Britannia and Saxon Shore Forts at Dover. Vol. 23, KAR 23 1971 74-86 (B Philp) (Article in serial). SKE7856.

<4> John Gaunt, 1974, Kent Archaeological Review: Medieval Jug found near Cane Wood. Vol. 36, KAR 36 1974 162 (H Davies) (Article in serial). SKE31918.

<5> Brian Philp, 1972, Kent Archaeological Review: Progress report from Dover. Vol. 27 (Article in serial). SKE31844.

<6> Philp, B. J., 1984, Kent Archaeological Review: Major Discoveries at Dover 1984. Vol. 78, KAR 78 1984 187-90 (B Philp) (Article in serial). SKE7854.

<7> Johnston, S. (ed), 1977, The Saxon Shore: CBA Report 18, CBA Res Rep 18 The Saxon Shore 1977 1 3 5 7 17 19 20-21 68 73 76 (S Johnston ed) (Article in monograph). SKE7853.

<8> Johnston, S., 1983, Late Roman Fortifications, Late Ro Fortifications 1983 196 204 205 209-11 213 (S Johnston) (Monograph). SKE7852.

<9> Johnston, S., 1976, Roman Forts of the Saxon Shore, Ro Forts of Saxon Shore 1976 10-12 51-3 65 68-9 99-102 104 109 115 119 124 128 151 154 (S Johnson) (Monograph). SKE7857.

<10> Mynott, E., 1981, Kent Archaeologicl Review: Sixteenth CKA Conference Vol. 63, KAR 63 1981 page 54 (E Mynott) (Article in serial). SKE7845.

<12> Philp, B. J., 1972, Kent Archaeological Review: The Excavation and Conservation of the Roman Forts at Dover 1971. Vol. 28, KAR 28 1972 236-244 (B Philp) (Article in serial). SKE7842.

<13> Welsby, D. A., 1982, Roman Military Defence of British Province in its Later Phases: BAR 101, BAR 101 Ro Mil Def of Brit Prov in its later phases 1982 25 (D A Welsby) (Monograph). SKE7848.

<14> Brian Philp, 1983, Kent Archaeological Review: Market Hall Excavation 1982. Vol. 71 (Article in serial). SKE31825.

<15> Brian Philp, 1983, Kent Archaeological Review: Market Hall Excavation 1982. Vol. 71, KAR Vol. 71. (B. Philp) pp. 10-11 (Article in serial). SKE31825.

<16> Wilkinson, D. R. P., 1995, Archaeologia Cantiana, Excavations on the White Cliffs Experience site, Dover, 1988-91. Vol. 114 (Article in serial). SKE31729.

<17> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, The Dover Spine Main: A Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SKE7159.

<18> RPS Clouston, 1997, Dover Western Docks Trunk Main Archaeological Report 1997 (Unpublished document). SKE7233.

<19> Victor, G., 1989, Kent Archaeological Review: Destruction in Dover Vol. 96, KAR No.96 1989 p 130 - 136 (Article in serial). SKE7859.

<20> Council for Kentish Archaeology, 1989, Kent Archaeological Review: Destruction in Dover Part II Vol. 98, KAR 1990 No.98 p 190 - 192 (Article in serial). SKE7860.

<21> Smith, K., 1990, Kent Archaeological review: Conservation in Dover Vol. 99, KAR 1990 No.99 p 211 - 213 (Article in serial). SKE7861.

<22> Philp, B. J., 1990, Kent Archaeological Conservation (Destruction) in Dover a Reply. Vol. 99, KAR 1990 No.99 p214 -216 (Article in serial). SKE7862.

<23> Philp, B. J., 1981, The Excavation of the Roman Forts of the Classis Britannica at Dover 1970-1977 (Monograph). SKE7863.

<24> English Heritage, Register of Scheduled Monuments (Scheduling record). SKE16191.

<25> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Terminal 2 EIA: Historic Environment Baseline Report Volume 1 (Unpublished document). SKE31717.

Sources and further reading

Related records