Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

This large structure was located to the south west of the remains of the church of St. Martin-Le-Grand and, significantly, very close to the south west corner of the Saxon church (S14). The structure mainly consisted of a substantial area of orange-brown clay, sub-rectangular in plan and on an east-west axis. There were also three post holes, 37 stake holes representing internal divisions and a beam slot. Its minimum internal dimensions are 10.25m (E-W) by 4.17m (N-S). The structure and overlying soil deposits were eventually sealed by a metalled surface which dates to the 11th-12th century. (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information)

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 600 AD to 899 AD)

Associated Finds

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)
• COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• COUNTER (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)
• LOCK (Roman to Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 43 AD? to 1065 AD?)
• SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• WHETSTONE (Roman to Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 43 AD? to 1065 AD?)
• PIN (Roman - 250 AD to 409 AD)
• NEEDLE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 699 AD)
• SHERD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 999 AD)
• BRACELET (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 475 AD to 599 AD)
• PIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 575 AD to 699 AD)
• POT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 650 AD to 999 AD)
• STUD FASTENER (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 1000 AD to 1050 AD)

Full description

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(Summarised from publication)

This large structure was located to the south west of the remains of the church of St. Martin-Le-Grand and, significantly, very close to the south west corner of the Saxon church (S14). The structure mainly consisted of a substantial area of orange-brown clay, sub-rectangular in plan and on an east-west axis with minimum internal dimensions are 10.25m (E-W) by 4.17m (N-S). There were also three post holes, 37 stake holes representing internal divisions and a beam slot. The structure and overlying soil deposits were eventually sealed by a metalled surface which dates to the 11th-12th century.

The clay floor was of a brick-earth type clay, brought to the site from elsewhere, and it seems likely that the floor would have originally formed a continuous, thick layer with well-defined edges. Little evidence of the associated superstructure was detected, it is likely that to two post holes on the northern side represent the location of the northern wall and the third central post hole may have contained a post which would have helped support the roof. The 37 stake holes divide the structure internally into three almost identical parts. In the centre of the west end of the structure were three possible hearths which showed patches of black clay where the floor had been burnt hard by intensive heat, all three were covered by a thin layer of black ash. A line of burnt daub was recovered, running down the centre of the structure at its eastern end, this may represent the residue of a burnt wall. Little in the way of dating evidence may be certainly attributed to this structure but a broad date of between the 7th and 9th centuries may be suggested. (1)

<1> Brian Philp., 2003, The Discovery and Excavation of Anglo Saxon Dover (Monograph). SKE31831.

Sources and further reading

Related records