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, the remains of a large scale Roman Structure were revealed to the north of Market Street and West of Cannon Street (Cannon Street Site). These remains have been interpreted as being part of the eastern section of the south range of mansio, the western section being the 'Painted House' (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information)

Monument Types

• MANSIO (Roman - 200 AD to 260 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, the remains of a large scale Roman Structure were revealed to the north of Market Street and West of Cannon Street (Cannon Street Site). These remains have been interpreted as being part of the eastern section of the south range of a mansio, the western section being the 'Painted House'. It is likley that the construction date is the same as that of the 'Painted house' to the west, approximately c200 A.D.

The excavation revealed parts of four rooms and a northern passage of this eastern range which was separated from the ‘Painted House’ by a 2.51m gap which would have possibly provided access to the bath house to the south. The total length of this range was not identified as the eastern end and part of the western end lay outside the limits of the excavation. It is however very likely that it would have been similar in length to its western counterpart; an overall length of 26.3m may therefore be assumed, implying that a further room remains unexcavated on the eastern side. The walls of the structure were constructed of neat courses of flint, with occasional double courses of tile, set in a hard cream mortar and survived (on the northern side) to a maximum height of 1.35m. The north wall was traced for a total distance of 12m and the south for a distance of 11.3m; two internal walls were also located and appear to have been integral to the original build.

The condition of the floors and the wall plaster in this structure is, especially in comparison to the excellent condition of the ‘Painted House’, very worn, suggesting its use over several more decades. The blocking and abandonment of the underlying hypocaust system also suggests the continued use of these rooms after the western wing had been abandoned, and also implies a change in their use. (1)

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

Sources and further reading

Related records