KENT archaeologist Brian Philp has just published a third major book on important excavations which have taken place in Dover over three decades.

Mr Philp, who is director of the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, has written about the buried evidence of the Saxon town, dating from the 6th to 11th centuries AD, and a monastic church, which had evaded archaeologists for many years.

“The buildings were wooden, and thus very difficult to find and recognise,” said Mr Philp.

But in 1970, the unit - a highly skilled team of archaeologists drawn from throughout Kent - began a massive programme of archaeological rescue work right across Dover town centre.

“Gradually the details of the Saxon town and monastic church were revealed, excavated, recorded and identified,” said Mr Philp, whose latest book is the result of years of hard work and dedication.

“The original settlement of Anglo-Saxon Dover started in the 6th century AD and was contained within the ruined walls of the late-Roman shore-fort of Dubris.

“Of special importance was the discovery of the major monastic church of St Martin’s, dating from the 7th century AD."

In this latest book, Mr Philp explains that none of the Roman defensive walls are visible above ground today, due largely to their burial during 1700 years of progressive urban development.

He goes on to describe in great and interesting detail, the Saxon structures that he has investigated, bringing to life how these buildings would have looked, and the relationship they had to each other, all those years ago.

Objects found during the excavations included a large amount of Saxon pottery, combs made from bones or antlers, more than 200 clay loom-weights, fragments of cooking pots, a wire ring, animal brooch, bracelet, small bronze lock key, a bronze spoon and pear-shaped bowl, and the lower half of a bronze work box.

“The finest object ever to come from any of our excavations was found in September 1972,” said Mr Philp. “This is the gold ring which was found sealed in a deposit of Saxon rubbish.

“Dated to the 6th century AD, the ring, which was probably worn by a man, is set with a large red garnet. It must have been the property of a wealthy Saxon, presumably living in Dover.”

The book, The Discovery and Excavation of Anglo-Saxon Dover, is available from the Roman Painted House in New Street, Dover, price £18, plus £3.60 postage.

The first copy of the book was presented to Cllr Frank Gibson, chairman of Kent County Council, at a special conference on Saxon discoveries in the south east which was attended by 300 archaeologists last Saturday in Canterbury.