Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Roman latrine found on the western side of Cannon Street in 1985. It is associated with the Roman bath houses situated a short distance to the east (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information).

Monument Types

• PRIVY HOUSE (LATRINE, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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A Roman latrine was discovered in 1985 during excavations west of Cannon Street, (centred TR 31914148). Beneath deep deposits of Medieval, Saxon and late-Roman date lay a substantially complete latrine-block. This had masonry walls, some standing to a height of about two metres. The interior had been sub-divided and a substantialstone-lined sewer built along the south side of the building. The sewer had been flushed by a drain which carried waste water from a cold-plunge bath inside the adjacent bath-house. This must have provided a large volume of water, perhaps as much as 2000 gallons, each time the bath was emptied. (1)

<1> Philp, B. J., 1984, Kent Archaeological Review: Major Discoveries at Dover 1984. Vol. 78 (Article in serial). SKE7854.

<2> Brian Philp, 1986, Kent Archaeological Review: More Roman Gemstones from Dover. Vol. 84, KAR 84 1986 90-92 (B Philp) (Article in serial). SKE31863.

Sources and further reading

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