1st century AD. A ceramic brick fragment of irregular trapezoidal shape, with raised edge, inventory number 31/290/760/361 (meaning that it was excavated in 1931), and a small fragment with remains of the producer's mark, reading 'BR (ITANNUS)'. See Hogg, G., Odd Aspects of England, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, Devon, 1968. 4.16 kg total, 8-39cm (3 - 15 1/2"). From a North Yorkshire collection formed since the 1980s; thence by descent; found Dover, Kent, 1931; accompanied by a note explaining how the find was made. The pieces are reputed to come from the Dover Lighthouse (Pharos), and were discovered when Dover Council were digging foundations for a ring road to avoid the centre of the city. The archaeologists discovered a part of the Roman fortifications together with the ruins of a second lighthouse. The bricks were made from local materials as the Romans always avoided the extra work involved in working and transporting building materials. The lighthouse was probably built in 46 AD, when the Romans made a second attempt at permanently occupying Britain. [2, No Reserve]