(Summarised from publication)

Two Roman drains were uncovered during rescue excavations undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit in 1974 ahead of the excavation of two soakaway pits in the church-yard of St. Marys Church, Dover. The two drains clearly linked and presumably carried water from an associated Roman structure, also situated in the church yard and beneath the church, (located in excavations in 1774 and 1994), eastwards towards the River Dour.

The drains were situated beneath a 80cm thick deposit of Roman demolition rubble, at approximately 3m below the ground level. Drain A consisted of six large chalk capstones, three of which were removed in order to examine the drains form. The drain itself was of chalk blocks and was 96cm high and 25-40cm wide. The bed of the drain consisted of a series of tegulae tiles which were laid flat with their side flanges turned upwards. Drain B joined drain A at a near right angle, it was similar in form and construction to drain A but only slight traces of its capping had survived. Within the tile bed of drain B was a CLBR stamped tile, which, along with the fact that it resembles other drains found within the CLBR fort during excavations undertaken in the town centre, implies a date of the 2nd century for its construction and main period of use. (1)

<1> Brian Philp, 2014, Discoveries and Excavations Across Kent, 1970-2014, Site 8 pp. 46-52 (Monograph). SKE32015.