Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

During extensive rescue excavations undertaken across Dover’s Town centre by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, extensive remains of the Classis Britannica Fort were uncovered and recorded, these included parts of all four of the walls, two gate houses, numerous drains and sewers and at least nine of the internal structures of the fort. From this evidence it is clear that the arrangements broadly reflect the standard layout of a Roman auxiliary fort and it is therefore possible to ascertain the locations of the structures and features which are commonly located within Roman forts but remained unexcavated at Dover. A barrack block (B21) is likely to have been located in the space between the remains of barrack block B20 and B22 which was occupied by the York Street footpath and remained largely unexcavated. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information).

Monument Types

• BARRACKS (B21 possible barrack?, Roman - 125 AD to 210 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

During extensive rescue excavations undertaken across Dover’s Town centre by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, extensive remains of the Classis Britannica Fort were uncovered and recorded, these included parts of all four of the walls, two gate houses, numerous drains and sewers and at least nine of the internal structures of the fort. From this evidence it is clear that the arrangements broadly reflect the standard layout of a Roman auxiliary fort and it is therefore possible to ascertain the locations of the structures and features which are commonly located within Roman forts but remained unexcavated at Dover. A barrack block (B21) is likely to have been located in the space between the remains of barrack block B20 and B22 which was occupied by the York Street footpath, warehouses and by Queen Street, it therefore remained largely unexcavated.

Two small areas of chalk block walling which were uncovered may relate to this possible structure, they were located 15m apart and close to the supposed location of the west wall of the adjacent barrack block B22, suggesting that it formed a pair with it. (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