Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Roman chalk block wall found during an archaeological evaluation carried out by Canterbury Archaeological Trust in 2009 at the site of 1-7 Cowgate Hill, Dover. The wall was at least 0.31 m wide and survived to a height of at least 0.25m. It was sealed by a number of layers and pebbled surfaces. It may have once formed part of a structure within the interior of the CLBR fort but this is not certain. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• FEATURE (Roman - 138 AD? to 208 AD?)
• WALL (Roman - 138 AD? to 208 AD?)

Associated Finds

• TILE (Roman - 138 AD? to 208 AD?)

Full description

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Roman chalk block wall found during an archaeological evaluation carried out in 2009 at the site of 1-7 Cowgate Hill, Dover. The wall was at least 0.31 m wide and survived to a height of at least 0.25m. It was sealed by a number of layers and pebbled surfaces.

From the report:

"Cutting in from the top of layer 317 was an east-west foundation trench containing a Roman wall constructed from chalk blocks set in orange-brown clay (315). This was traced for a distance of just 0.80 m. before being cut away by a modern pit/trench. The top of the wall lay at c. 0.73 m. below present ground level at 14.47 m. O.D. but its full width was not revealed. It was at least 0.31 m. wide and stood to a minimum height of 0.25 m. (2 courses). Following the demolition of its upper levels, this wall was sealed by a thin layer of cream gritty mortar, quite possibly a construction layer relating to a subsequent building of which no other traces were exposed. Subsequently, this mortar layer was sealed by a 0.17 m. thick levelling layer of brown clay with frequent small chalk lumps. The top of this deposit was trodden and had traces of a pebbled surface, implying that it formed some sort of walking surface. This was followed by the deposition of a thin layer of light grey clay loam with small chalk and pebbles, conceivably representing occupational tread over the pebbled surface. Its make-up produced a single fragment of Roman tile. (1)

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 Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2009, Report on Evaluation Trenching off Cowgate Hill, Dover (Unpublished document).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

Sources and further reading