Monument record TR 34 SW 1569 - Room ten (tepid room) of the Roman military bath house, Dover

Summary

During excavations undertaken in Dover town centre by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, a Roman military bath house was excavated and recorded. Room ten was at the eastern end of the complex, to the south of rooms eight and nine. Its north south and west walls were located but the eastern wall was located outside the limits of excavation. The walls consisted of tufa blocks set in a white mortar, they suggest maximum internal dimensions of 5.04m (N-S) by 3.74m (E-W). (location accurate to the nearest 2m based on available information).

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 3186 4143 (5m by 6m) From rectified plan
Map sheet TR34SW
County KENT
District DOVER, KENT
Civil Parish DOVER, DOVER, KENT

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

(Summarised from publication)

During excavations undertaken in Dover town centre by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, a Roman military bath house was excavated and recorded. Room ten was at the eastern end of the complex, to the south of rooms eight and nine. Its north south and west walls were located but the eastern wall was located outside the limits of excavation. The walls consisted of tufa blocks set in a white mortar, they suggest maximum internal dimensions of 5.04m (N-S) by 3.74m (E-W).

The base for the period one floor was constructed of large pebbles set in a cream white mortar, this was later replaced by a flint and mortar floor over which had been constructed a hypocaust. Later demolition rubble covered this hypocaust infilling it and creating a surface on which was situated a hearth and oven. Another floor, this time of brown clay, was laid over this surface and represents the period three developments in this room.

An inserted doorway, with a sandstone sill was located in the north wall, linking it to room seven. Alongside this the west wall contained three vertical cavities and a further one in the north wall, these were clearly an integral part of the hypocaust system which would have heated this room. It is possible that an associated stoke hole exists but no traces of this were uncovered and it may have been situated on the eastern wall. (1)


<1> Brian Philp, The Discovery and Excavation of the Roman Shore Fort at Dover, Kent (Monograph). SKE32061.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Monograph: Brian Philp. The Discovery and Excavation of the Roman Shore Fort at Dover, Kent.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (3)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Excavations in Dover Town centre, Roman military bath house site (EKE15856)
  • Event Boundary: Rescue excavations within Dover Town Centre ahead of development of York Street, Dover (EKE15656)

Record last edited

Aug 27 2019 12:17PM