Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

During a series of extensive rescue excavations, ahead of development in Dover’s town centre undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue unit a series of features relating to the late Roman Saxon Shore Fort were excavated and recorded. Long lengths of both the south and western defensive walls of the Shore fort were located at various sites during these excavations. This includes a substantial section of the western wall which was uncovered during excavations in an area which was previously occupied by the National School and the Cause is Altered public house (Cause is Altered Site) both of which fronted onto Princes Street as well as at an excavation of a small car park on the north side of Queens Street (Car Park Site). (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information)

Monument Types

• WALL (West wall of the Shore fort, Roman - 240 AD to 330 AD)

Full description

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(summarised from publication)

During a series of extensive rescue excavations, ahead of development in Dover’s town centre undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue unit a series of features relating to the late Roman Saxon Shore Fort were excavated and recorded. Long lengths of both the south and western defensive walls of the Shore fort were located at various sited during these excavations. This includes a substantial section of the western wall which was uncovered during excavations in an area which was previously occupied by the National School and the Cause is Altered public house (Cause is Altered Site) both of which fronted onto Princes Street as well as at an excavation of a small car park on the north side of Queens Street (Car Park Site).

The walling was traced for a total distance of 15.25m despite being cut by a series of later features including a number of large Medieval pits. It was constructed of chalk rubble set in a hard white mortar at its core, coursed chalk blocks on its internal (eastern face) and squared tufa blocks on its external (western) face. It was 2.5m wide and survived to an average height of 0.9m (7 courses), the walling was situated upon a chalk rubble foundation which was set in a trench 0.6m deep. (1)

<1> Brian Philp, The Discovery and Excavation of the Roman Shore Fort at Dover, Kent (Monograph). SKE32061.

Sources and further reading

Related records