Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

During extensive rescue excavations undertaken across Dover’s Town centre by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, substantial remains of the Classis Britannica fort were uncovered and recorded. These include the remains of the unfinished CLBR fort, which are represented by a series of foundations apparent across the site underlying the roads and buildings of the main CLBR fort. These foundations were abandoned before their completion in around 117 A.D. when troops were sent north to deal with the northern revolts. Foundations of an early barrack block (A5) was located during excavations at the Cause is Altered site near Princes Street. (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information).

Monument Types

• Wall Foundation (Rammed chalk foundations, Roman - 100 AD to 117 AD)

Full description

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(Summarised from publication)

During extensive rescue excavations undertaken across Dover’s Town centre by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, substantial remains of the Classis Britannica fort were uncovered and recorded. These include the remains of the unfinished CLBR fort, which are represented by a series of foundations apparent across the site underlying the roads and buildings of the main CLBR fort. These foundations were abandoned before their completion in around 117 A.D. when troops were sent north to deal with the northern revolts. Foundations of an early barrack block (A5) was located during excavations at the Cause is Altered site near Princes Street.

This building was clearly the first structure at this site for it was heavily truncated by numerous later features. Despite the substantial damage to this early building at least six rooms were identified each about 3.6m in width and consisting of rammed chalk foundations. It had a minimum length of 22m (N-S) and width of 5.8m (E-W), the later buildings are in the same approximate position and probably followed the line of these foundations. There was no evidence that they were ever topped with walls. (1)

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

Sources and further reading

Related records