Monument record TR 34 SW 1705 - Section of the western defensive ditch and berm of the late Roman Saxon Shore fort, located at the Woodstore Site, Dover

(Summarised from publication)

During a series of extensive rescue excavations, ahead of development in Dover’s town centre, undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue unit a series of features relating to the late Roman Saxon Shore Fort were excavated and recorded. The defensive ditch and associated berm were located in various locations (but mainly along the western side of the fort) close to the outside face of the fort walls. This includes a substantial section of the ditch and berm which was uncovered during excavations in an area located to the south of Market Street in a disused wood store.

The western lip of the ditch lay beyond the limits of the excavation but it was V shaped in section, at least 8m wide at its top and 3.2m in depth. Its fill consisted of a grey brown loam which likely represents a progressive hill-wash rather than any purposeful infilling. Sealing this fill was a series of Medieval roads. The berm between the extern face of the fort wall and the eastern lip of the ditch was between 5-6m wide and had been capped with a substantial platform of dumped chalk loam and large flints. (1)

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