In 2002 Canterbury Archaeological Trust carried out an evaluation on the site of Crabble Paper Mill, Dover. This was followed by an excavation and then a watching brief on a new road being constructed at the site. The excavation located a small masonry building, apparently rectangular in plan and measuring 9.36m by a minimum of 3.7m, on an elevated position overlooking the river. It had been partially destroyed by 19th century terracing for the paper mill on the site but the north wall and portions of the east and west were found and survived to a maximum height of five courses. A doorway had existed in the west wall. The interior was filled with a demolition deposit but this failed to provide any dating evidence. An associated rubble layer contained a pot sherd dated c. AD 1175-1225/50 and fragments of a window frame of probable 13th century date. Four pits were also found.

The watching brief located some retaining walls, this could have been a terrace for another now lost structure that stood near the building initially found. A sherd dating to c.AD 1050-1225 and three more fragments of the window frame were found in the infilled terrace area.

The structures clearly belonged to a complex of buildings of some status. It is possible that this was a manorial complex and the shape and orientation of the building could suggest that it was a private chapel located on the site. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2002, Crabble Paper Mill, River, Dover: An Assessment of the Archaeological and Geoarchaeological Discoveries (Unpublished document). SKE17458.