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, the southern end of a substantial structure representing a barrack block (B25) was located under which was situated a small ditch running roughly north-north-west by south-south-east, at the Battle of Britain Homes site in 1971. This ditch is sealed by the walls and floor of the period one barrack block and obviously predates the earliest building at this location. (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information)

Monument Types

• DITCH (Early Ditch, Roman - 50 AD? to 100 AD?)

Associated Finds

• SHERD (Roman - 50 AD? to 100 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, the southern end of a substantial structure representing a barrack block (B25) was located under which was a small ditch running roughly north-north-west by south-south-east at the Battle of Britain Homes site in 1971. This ditch is sealed by the walls and floor of the period one barrack block and obviously predates the earliest building at this location.

It is U shaped in section, mostly 50cm deep and it varied in width from 0.8m to 1.5m. Its function is uncertain, may in fact be a boundary or drainage ditch representing occupation at the site before the construction of either of the Roman forts. (1)

<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