Dover, the Dubris of the Antonine Itinerary and of the Notitia Dignitatum, has long been accepted as being a Saxon Shore fort and a probable base of the Classis Britannica, but positive proof was not obtained until the 1970 excavations made on behalf of the MPBW by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, as part of an extensive series of rescue excavations undertaken across Dover’s town centre. During these excavations it became clear that a large area on either side of Queen Street contained Roman occupation evidence, and the rigid arrangement of this evidence immediately suggested military planning. The evidence uncovered revealed that the east west axis of the fort falls roughly along the line of Queen Street and is framed by Adrian Street on the south side, Albany Place to the west, Market Street on the north side and Market Lane to the east. The structures and features uncovered within the interior of the fort include; two granaries, a latrine block, parts of 10 barrack blocks with a further two barrack blocks suggested by the evidence, a possible builders workshop, a complex drainage system with a large sewer and a series metalled surfaces which represent roads and courtyards occupying the undeveloped areas of the fort. Alongside the interior structures parts of all four of the fort walls and associated ditch and berm, and parts of the northern and eastern gate houses were also located.

Beneath some of the structures uncovered within the interior of the fort and was an earlier phase of construction which appears never to have been completed. At least three areas of fort walling and three internal structures have been attributed to this earlier phase, one of which was situated directly beneath the north wall of the fort. None of these remains survive above foundation level and there is no evidence for associated floors or internal fittings, it is therefore reasonable to suggest that two separate forts were started at the same site (CLBR I and CLBR II) and that the first was abandoned before completion.

There is little dating evidence for the CLBR fort I but it is clear that it pre-dated the CLBR II fort, for which the associated datable evidence points to a construction date of A.D. 130-140. The samian ware uncovered in deposits associated with, underlying and overlying the CLBR I levels has a date range of A.D. 80-120 and it is therefore likely that forts construction and abandonment was within those 40 years. It has been suggested that this apparent abandonment of the first fort may be tied in with historical events. It is possible that after beginning the fort, in a time of relative peace, the fleet were called north to deal with the northern revolts (A.D 117-120) which eventually resulted in the construction of Hadrian’s Wall (A.D. 122-128).

More dating evidence is available for the CLBR II fort and at least three phases of development are represented in a number of the buildings. The dating evidence recovered from levels underlying the earliest period of development of the CLBR II fort, which mainly consists of samian ware and coins, makes it clear that construction could not have begun before A.D. 119. The publication of the 1970’s excavations in Dover suggests dates of; A.D. 125-155 for the first phase of construction, occupation and demolition, A.D. 155-180 for the second phase and A.D. 180-210 for the third and final phase and subsequent abandonment. The soil covering the rubble of the demolished or abandoned CLBR II fort produced coins mainly dating to the third century and suggests that it was accumulating between A.D. 210-270. The dates given within the publication vary and are only inferred by the available archaeological and historical evidence, a date 10 years either side of the proposed dates may also be appropriate. The latest Roman military occupation of the site begins in A.D. 270 with the construction of the Roman Saxon Shore fort which in part overly and cut the remains of both the CLBR I and II forts. (1-7)

From the National Heritage List for England:
Details
The Classis Britannica (the Roman fleet in Britain) adopted Dover as its major base on the British Coast for much of the second century A.D., where it constructed a fort, harbour installations and two lighthouses. A vicus or civilian settlement developed to the north of the fort. The fort, two-thirds of which has been excavated, was occupied for three main periods in the second century, and was subject to rebuilding and repair in each period. Initial activity in the area of the fort, consisting of an open military settlement covering 0.5 ha, has been dated to c. A.D. 117. In A.D. 130-140 a fort covering 1 ha was completed for a garrison of 600-700 men, comprising a stone defensive wall, ditched on three sides, and a variety of internal buildings. This was abandoned c. A.D. 154-155. A second phase of occupation has been dated to A.D. 163-165 to A.D. 180, when substantial repairs and rebuilding works were carried out to the fort. A final phase of occupation dating to A.D. 190-200 to c. A.D. 208 also involved rebuilding works, perhaps to house an even larger garrison. This monument is sited in the largely unexcavated south-western part of the fort, where it is considered that the most complete and undisturbed remains of the fort exist. It is probable that the principia, or headquarters building of the fort, and further barrack blocks exist here. Trial trenches at Albany Place were cut in 1980, and revealed a variety of important remains including burials, occupation deposits and the fort wall and south gate.

Reasons for Designation
The Classis Britannica fort at Dover is considered to be one of the most important in Britain. It is known from excavated remains that it was the main base of the Roman fleet in the second century A.D. Furthermore, it continued in use as a military centre over several centuries during which time it underwent several phases of reconstruction. The importance of the fort is enhanced by the fact that its use can be directly linked to documented events of the second century. It is associated with a variety of other monuments, including the lighthouses, harbour works, bath-house and adjacent vicus. The preservation within this area is good. Trial excavations in 1980 demonstrated that Roman buildings of the second phase of the fort, still stood to a height of up to 3m. The cellars of the 19th century houses built on the site have caused only minor damage to underlying archaeological deposits. Excavations in this area have been very limited, hence this part of the fort remains largely intact and unexamined. (8)

DUBRIS - possibly the place was sometimes called PORTUS DUBRIS. Identified with the Roman fort at Dover. NOVUS PORTUS - source Ptolemy. The name is Latin, `new harbour' and almost certainly represents Dover as recorded in an early coastal survey. (9)

A Roman military bath house was also located during the town centre excavations undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, on the north east side of the fort. This would have been used by the troops stationed at the Classis Britannica Fort and had fallen out of use by the time the late Roman Saxon Shore Fort had been constructed. (10-11)

Alongside the bath house, a structure which has been interpreted as a mansio was also located to the north east of the Classis Britannica Fort and is roughly contemporary with it, but again appears to have fallen out of use by the time the late Roman Saxon Shore Fort was being constructed. The excavations here revealed walls with an extraordinary level of preservation of painted wall plaster and has been appropriately name the ‘painted house’. The remains have been left in situ and are on display for the public to view. (12)

More information on the Dover town centre excavation undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. (13-16)

In 1990 evaluation trenching was undertaken by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit prior to the construction of sheltered accommodation at Albany Place Much of the archaeology on the western side of the site had been badly damaged by cellars, basements and modern services or by later Roman/Medieval robbing. Wall footings, opus signinum floors over hypocaust heating and a large area of wall plaster were recorded in what is believed to be the Praetorium (Commanders Quarters). Undated randomly spaced inhumation burials were, first located in 1980, found cutting some of the earlier Roman-British features. (Burials were aligned east-west and north-south). (17-18)

Trenching for Dover Spine water pipeline did not reveal any evidence of the fort although part of the later Saxon Shore Fort was damaged (19-20).

In 2008/9 Canterbury Archaeological Trust carried out an evaluation at 1-7 Cowgate Hill. Walls were found preserved across the site. They were of chalk blocks bonded in clay. They do not appear to belong to a single building or a single phase of construction. A rubbish dump, possibly relating to the final phase of occupation of the fort, was found. (21-22)

Evaluation trenches were dug by Oxford Archaeological Unit between 1988 and 1991 to assess the condition of the archaeology and to pinpoint the position of some structures ahead of the construction of the White Cliffs Experience. Trenches 11 and 14 provided evidence from the interior of the Classis Britannica fort, four phases of development of the fort were identified in these trenches. Trench 13, which was situated immediately outside the north wall of the Cl. Br. Fort, provided a small amount of information about the extra-mural arrangements. Excavation in trench 1 revealed an extra-mural structure north of the Cl. Br. Fort. (23)

Discussion of the CLBR fort in relation to the Dover Western Docks Revival Scheme. (24)

A list of all of the un-stratified small finds which were uncovered during the Kent Archaeological Rescue Units excavations of the CLBR Forts I and II are included as part of this monument record (any stratified finds are included with the specific monument records)

<1> E. G. J. Amos and R. E. M. Wheeler, 1929, Archaeological journal: The Saxon Shore fortress at Dover Vol. 86, Arch J 86 1929 47-58 plan (Amos and Wheeler) (Article in serial). SKE31895.

<2> Philp, B. J., 1971, Kent Archaeological Review: The Discovery of the Classis Britannia and Saxon Shore Forts at Dover. Vol. 23, Kent AR 23 1971 74-86 plan photo (B Philp) (Article in serial). SKE7856.

<3> John Gaunt, 1974, Kent Archaeological Review: Medieval Jug found near Cane Wood. Vol. 36, Kent AR 36 1974 162 (H Davies) (Article in serial). SKE31918.

<4> Philp, B. J., 1981, The Excavation of the Roman Forts of the Classis Britannica at Dover 1970-1977, The Excavation of the Ro Forts of the Classis Britannica at Dover 1970-1977 1981 (B Philp) (Monograph). SKE7863.

<5> Howard Davis, 1973, Kent Archaeological Review; CIB Archaeological Rescue Unit. Vol. 34., KAR 34 1973 100 (H Davies) (Article in serial). SKE31896.

<6> Philp, B. J., 1971, Kent Archaeological Review: The Discovery of the Classis Britannia and Saxon Shore Forts at Dover. Vol. 23 (Article in serial). SKE7856.

<7> Johnston, S., 1976, Roman Forts of the Saxon Shore, The Roman Forts of the Saxon Shore 1976 10-12 51-3 65 68-9 99-102 104 109 115 119 124 128 151 154 (S (Monograph). SKE7857.

<8> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

<9> A. L. F. Rivet and C. Smith, 1979, The Place Names of Roman Britain, The Place-Names of Ro Brit 1979 341 428 (ALF Rivet and C Smith) (Monograph). SKE31969.

<10> Howard Davis, 1973, Kent Archaeological Review; CIB Archaeological Rescue Unit. Vol. 35., KAR 35 1974 132 (H Davies) (Article in serial). SKE31897.

<11> Brian Philp, The Discovery and Excavation of the Roman Shore Fort at Dover, Kent (Monograph). SKE32061.

<12> Philp, B, 1989, The Roman House with Bacchic Murals at Dover (Monograph). SKE24004.

<13> Kent Archaeological Society, 1972, Archaeologia Cantiana: Investigations and excavations during the year. Vol. 87., Arch Cant 87 1972 234-5 (BJ Philp) (Article in serial). SKE31777.

<14> Edna Mynott, 1974, Kent Archaeological Review; News from the groups; Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. Vol. 37, KAR 37 1974 196 (E Mynott) (Article in serial). SKE31898.

<15> M.W. C. Hassall & R. S. O. Tomlin, 1983, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies Britannia : a journal of Romano-British and kindred studies (Article in serial). SKE31949.

<16> Brian and Edna Philp, 1974, CIB: Rescue Excavations in Kent 1972-1974: The Town Centre Excavation in Dover (Article in serial). SKE31869.

<17> Philp, B. J., 1990, An Archaeological Evaluation of a Site at Albany Place, Dover Designated for Sheltered Accommodation, KARU Evaluation at Albany Place 1990 (B Philp) (Unpublished document). SKE11902.

<18> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2006, Archaeological Desk Study of Albany Place, Dover (Unpublished document). SKE17719.

<19> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, The Dover Spine Main: A Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SKE7159.

<20> RPS Clouston, 1997, Dover Western Docks Trunk Main Archaeological Report 1997 (Unpublished document). SKE7233.

<21> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2009, Report on Evaluation Trenching off Cowgate Hill, Dover (Unpublished document). SKE18028.

<22> Weekes, J., 2012, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Interim Reports, Archaeologia Cantiana CXXXII 2012: 303 (Article in serial). SKE25119.

<23> Wilkinson, D. R. P., 1995, Archaeologia Cantiana, Excavations on the White Cliffs Experience site, Dover, 1988-91. Vol. 114 (Article in serial). SKE31729.

<24> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Terminal 2 EIA: Historic Environment Baseline Report Volume 1 (Unpublished document). SKE31717.