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, 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 have remained unexcavated at Dover. In almost every axillary Roman fort investigated, there is a building of varying form which is normally described as the Commandant’s House, most often it occurs near the Principia. It is therefore likely that this structure would have been in the south-west corner of the CLBR fort at Dover, in an area which remained un-investigated through these works. (location accurate to the nearest 50m based on available information).

Monument Types

• OFFICERS QUARTERS (B29 possible Commandants house, Roman - 125 AD to 210 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, 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 have remained unexcavated at Dover. In almost every auxiliary Roman fort investigated, there is a building of varying form which is normally described as the Commandant’s House. Most often it occurs near the Principia. It is therefore likely that this structure would have been in the south-west corner of the CLBR fort at Dover, in an area which remained un-investigated through these works.

If the suggestions about its location are correct it is likely that a single range of rooms on each of three or four sides of an open courtyard may be expected. The available space allows for a building with a maximum size of 28m by 20m. (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