(summarised from publication)

During a series of extensive rescue excavations, ahead of development in Dover’s town centre undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, the remains of a large scale Roman structure were revealed and have been interpreted as being part of the eastern section of the south range of a mansio. This structure appears to have been the second on this site as small traces of an earlier building were also revealed underlying it. It is likely that this early building was contemporary with the building located beneath the painted house, and it may have had the same function.

This early building was only seen in four small areas; two sections of a north south wall were seen running beneath the hypocaust of room 9 and the northern passage and a further length of east-west walling was located beneath the south wall and projecting from the western end of it. These sections give a minimum north south width of 8m and east-west length of 8.25m, thus paralleling the remains located beneath the ‘Painted House’. Both walls consisted of chalk blocks set in tufa and brown clay with a width of 65cm. On the basis that it is contemporary with the building to the west, a date of 160-80 may be suggested. (1)

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