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 section of a substantial wooden structure was located beneath the later Roman deposits of the Roman Saxon Shore Fort. A total of 15 wooden posts were located near the edge of a natural bank which likely represents the former location of the west bank of the Dour Estuary. (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information)

Monument Types

• QUAY (possible location of early Roman Quay, Roman - 43 AD? to 100 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 section of a substantial wooden structure was located beneath the later Roman deposits of the Roman Saxon Shore Fort. A total of 15 wooden posts were located near the edge of a natural bank which likely represents the former location of the west bank of the Dour Estuary.

This group of timber suggests the presence of a wooden structure at this location, it is the earliest identified feature at this site, situated at a depth of between 5-7m and it is highly likely that it forms part of a small quay, the rest of which has subsequently rotted away. (1)

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

Sources and further reading