'Ancient pub' dug up at £21m Dover Beacon site

Archaeologists have unearthed what they believe to be an ancient pub on the site of the multi-million pound Dover Beacon project.

A pit containing Bellarmine jugs, hundreds of clay pipes and German wine bottles were found by the team of seven from Canterbury Archaeological Trust, who have been digging at the former nightclub since April, ahead of the development of a new creative and digital hub.

They added their recent discoveries to a collection of treasures previously found near the site, including a Bronze Age boat found in 1992 and a Medieval spindle wheel, which will be kept by Dover Museum.

The £21.3m Dover Beacon building is expected to open within 18 months, the council said.

Ross Lane from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, who is heading the dig at the site, said: “A pit contained lots of refuse material including the clay pipes.

"We think because it was associated with smoking and drinking that a lot of the Bellarmine ware was brought over from Germany containing wine, so perhaps it was the backyard of a public house that was fronting onto Bench Street.”

The Dover Beacon project was awarded £3.2m from the government's Future High Street Fund and £18.1m Levelling Up money.

It will house education studios as well as start-up space and a business centre.

Dover District Council hopes it will bring £90m worth of economic benefit to the area.

Jamie Pout, deputy leader of the council, said he was excited about the discoveries at the site.

“Finding another Bronze Age boat would be something wouldn’t it?” he said, adding he was standing “right by where it was found".

“To think about some really historic things that were going on right here is quite special, but we would love to get something quite attractive and iconic going here as soon as possible.”

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