Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Substantial Roman chalk block wall was found during an archaeological evaluation carried out in 2009 by Canterbury Archaeological Trust at the site of 1-7 Cowgate Hill, Dover. The wall was 0.6m wide and survived to a height of at least 0.4m. It is likely that it relates to a structure within the interior of the Roman fort of the Classis Britannica but its precise function and form remains unclear. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• ROBBER TRENCH (Roman - 138 AD? to 210 AD?)
• WALL (Roman - 138 AD? to 208 AD?)

Associated Finds

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Unknown date)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Unknown date)
• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Roman - 138 AD? to 208 AD?)

Full description

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From the report:

"Running east-west across the centre of the trench, almost below the south wall of the demolished nineteenth century house, was a substantial chalk block wall of typical Roman construction. The top of its highest blocks lay at a depth of 0.89 m. below present ground level (at 15.92 m. O.D.). The wall was traced for a minimum distance of just one metre and was 0.64 m. wide. It stood to a height of at least 0.40 m. (3 courses) and was constructed from neatly faced chalk blocks with a core of chalk rubble, set in orange-brown clay containing frequent chalk pellets. Such construction is typical of many of the buildings contained within the CLBR fort. Its foundation was not revealed and no associated floor levels were exposed. Two successive layers of clay loam and chalk rubble abutted this walling, these could represent either levelling or demolition deposits. Both contained quantities of domestic rubbish in the form of pottery, animal bone and marine shell. On the western side, the upper course had subsequently been robbed away, presumably in Roman times, leaving a steep-sided robber trench " (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2009, Report on Evaluation Trenching off Cowgate Hill, Dover (Unpublished document). SKE18028.

Sources and further reading

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