During a marine geophysical survey undertaken in 2008 at Dover Harbour as part of a wider environmental impact assessment associated with the Dover Harbour Terminal 2 Project two palaeochannel features were identified by the sub-bottom seismic survey.

The first is a large channel orientated east-west stretching seaward out from the shore directly alongside the Prince of Wales Pier. The buried channel is discernible by the appearance of sandy silt fill deposits within the sediment layers. The channel fill sediments appear as definite stratigraphic horizons between the silt and gravels into the chalk base geology. The channel lies between a maximum depth of -9m CD and a minimum of -2m CD. The channel was recorded as 190m wide at its greatest width, and its narrowest recorded width of 100m was at the landward end of the feature. This palaeochannel may contain peat deposits should be considered to be of high archaeological potential unless proven otherwise.

The second was located in the eastern part of the Survey Area, near the Eastern Docks complex, running east-west. It is possible that the feature could be the shallow remains of an extensively eroded or dredged palaeochannel. The feature was identified by the presence of interbedded sandy and gravel deposits sealed in places clayey silt that indicated a possible pre-glacial buried channel. In places, the channel is exposed on the seabed, and in others it was covered by a 2m build up of silt. However, the precise date of this channel is not clear. A possible southern edge of the feature is located close to the car ferry berths of the Eastern Docks, however, the northern edge is also indiscernible due to the presence of gas ‘blanking’. In addition, its path seaward has been disturbed by an area of intensive dredging. Therefore, its full course and origins cannot be fully charted, although it has an estimated width of between 193m and 80m, with the narrower end towards the shore. This feature lies between a maximum depth of -8m CD and a minimum depth of -1m CD. (summarised from sources) (1-2)

<1> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Marine Geophysical Survey Report (Unpublished document). SKE52023.

<2> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Harbour Geophysical Site Survey (Unpublished document). SKE31715.