A Surprise discovery has been unearthed on the lower Lines where they are building a new campus for Mid kent College.

A series of Tunnels were already known about on the site but now they have uncovered a small domed shape structure that looks like an igloo.

Archaeologists from Canterbury Archaeological Trust have comfirmed it is a Listening post used to listen for possible enemy Sapping activity(Tunnel digging)

During a Siege on the fortifications the Attacking Army would dig a Trench Parrallel to the Fortifications for cover.Then they would dig Zig-zag Trenches towards the Fortifications and dig another Parrallel Trench.They would do this several more times untill they were close enough to the Fortifications to Dig a Siege Tunnel under the Dry Ditches and then�use explosives to blow up the Dry Ditch walls and to breach the Fortifications.

Meanwhile the defending Army would be listening for possible Tunnel activity with the listening post.If enemy�Tunneling activity was heard nearby they�would�have been able to dig a Countermine then when they were close enough blow up their own Tunnel and destroy the Enemy Tunnel.

The Listening Post is thought to date from the Early 1800's

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More info on Sapping: http://www.remuseum.org.uk/corpshistory/rem_corps_sapper.htm

Next Page: Fort Amherst 19th Century

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