During an archaeological watching brief at Dover, Market Square, conducted between August 2021-Feb 2022, human remains relating to a church cemetery were excavated.
The remains are thought to be associated with a Norman church which existed in the area prior to the marketplace being established in the later medieval period. This is St Martin-le-Grand which was in use until around AD 1480, and the human remains are thought to originate from the church's cemetery.

The remains are suggested to date from between c. AD 1100 to 1400. Whilst many of the remains had been disturbed by modern services, a number at the base of the excavation were still in articulated/semi-articulated condition. In once instance, a stone-lined tomb from a later period could be seen to cut across earlier burials at the site.

The watching brief left remains undisturbed wherever possible, however, a large quantity of loose material was recovered. This material comprised 243 fragments of bone, with a detailed analysis conducted on 227 fragments from context 512. From this context analysis established a MNI of 8 adults and 7 juveniles. Of the adult remains, 3 were interpreted as male, and 1 as female. In terms of age, 2 adults were between 40-44yrs, 2 between 45-50yrs, 1 between 35-45yrs. Of the juveniles, 1 was 4yrs (+/- 9 months), 1 was neonate, and 2 were infants. Pathological examination of the remains suggested the majority suffered from periostitis, with one particularly severe case, and other severe case of osteomyelitis.
The other context 504, containing 16 fragments of bone (human skull and femur) was thought to contain a probable adult female.

No finds were recovered in association with these burials.

Other contemporary features include medieval buildings and walls, with a chalk block wall running in close proximity to the cemetery - suggested to be the cemetery's boundary wall.

Human remains have been excavated from the surrounding area during previous archaeological investigations. Two Norman churches are known from the area - St Martin le Grande and St Peter's. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2023, Dover, Market Square, 2021–22 Report on watching briefs in and around the Market Square (Unpublished document). SKE55296.