A gold ring, one of the finest single objects to be found on excavations in Dover was discovered in September 1972 during work undertaken by KARU ahead of development of the town centre. It was found sealed in a deposit of Saxon rubbish and has been dated to the sixth or seventh centuries A.D. The ring, probably made for a man, is set with a large red garnet held in a cruciform mount. It has a circle of gold within the garnet and the decoration and quality of workmanship rates it in the Sutton Hoo class. It must have been the property of a wealthy Saxon, presumably living in Dover then a thriving port. One attractive idea is that it was worn by one of the royal family of Saxon Kent. (1-2)

The find is now in Dover Museum

<1> Brian Philp., 2003, The Discovery and Excavation of Anglo Saxon Dover (Monograph). SKE31831.

<2> Brian Philp, 1973, Kent Archaeological Review: Saxon Gold Ring Found at Dover. Vol 31 (Article in serial). SKE31848.