9 boreholes were drilled in connection with proposed development on Northampton Quay revealing early riverine sediments. These sediments clearly relate to the course of the early River Dour. The extent of these remains appear to be confined to the north eastern end of the works area and it seems likely that related deposits extend beyond, below the adjacent open car park. It also provides evidence for change in the riverine environment to more terrestrial conditions and peat formation. During the phase of peat formation, terrestrial conditions at the site may have provided optimal conditions for human activity. This interpretation is supported by the sedimentary and pollen-stratigraphic records for peat formation and human activity at the Dover Bronze Age boat site. These deposits, located at approximately the same level as these boreholes have provided a provisional pollen record indicating human activity in the Dour valley during the Middle Holocene. (1-2)

The depth of the peat is comparable with the deposit identified with the Dover Boat which was found slightly upslope, less than 200m to the north. The organic material within the trench was levelled just below Ordnance Datum which is recorded at 3.67m above Chart Datum at Dover. The peat deposit may represent the course of a relic channel that has since been covered and sealed as the sea level rose. (3)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1998, Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Northampton Quay, Dover, 1998 (Unpublished document). SKE7175.

<2> Royal Haskoning, 2015, The Dover Western Docks Revival; Geoarchaeological Assessment. Stage One: Review of Historic Ground Investigation Data (Unpublished document). SKE31745.

<3> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Terminal 2 EIA: Historic Environment Baseline Report Volume 1 (Unpublished document). SKE31717.