More information : A building with chalk floors flint walls and painted wall-plaster has been located at Pitlands Farm. (Area) SU 797124. (1)
In 1967, work in the paddock E of the garden revealed a building over 80 ft long terminating in a segmental apse at the E end. A hypocaust and stoke-hole were found inside the building, whose outside was plastered and painted. (2)
It is possible that the building extends to the W outside the area of the present excavation, and a spread of Roman pottery has been found on the hill above the farm to the North. (3)
The building at Pitlands Farm, Up Marden proved to be a corridor villa over 100 ft long facing N with a bath suite at the E end, which had been twice remodelled. A cobbled yard to the E contained an outbuilding and another building has been located to the N. The finds range from the E 3rd/L 4th c. (4)
There is no trace of either the villa or the other building to the N, but their sites at SU 7971 1238 and SU 7971 1244 were deduced from a plan held by the farmer at Pitlands. (5)
Full report of excavation. Very little is known of the villa due to presence of existing farm buildings etc. Most of the villa and its outbuildings probably lie below the present farm, and the garden and orchard to its rear. The earliest Samian suggests a Flavian date for its origins, while 4th century pottery is also present. No evidence of early Saxon occupation was seen in the small areas excavated, although late Saxon and medieval occupation of the site was noted. (6)
Discussion of the villa along with other Roman sites in the Chilgrove valley. (7)
WS 33 Listed as the possible site of a Roman villa. (8)
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