More information : Roman pavement, pedestal & coin found. [T.1.]
[SK 5753 0437]. (1)
In 1782, a geometrically designed pavement was found in Cherry Orchard about 7x east of the Fosse Road, and thence continuing northwards (a). In 1850-1 excavations were carried on here; more pavements were found, with geometrical and dolphin designs. One floor measured 28' x 18'; another, in red and grey chequered pattern, measured 14' square; another, similar, 56' long x 7 1/2' wide paved a corridor. Others had interlaced patterns. No foundations were disclosed except 'one of angular shape', north of the main line of the rooms; near it was a hollow pipe, filled with concrete, part of a hypocaust pillar. At the southern extremity of the last pavement, Nichol's pavement (a) was found; much painted plaster and four coins (third brass of the later Empire) were also found (b). By 1867 much had been destroyed (c). In Dec. 1868, 25' from King Richard's Road, opposite Newfoundpool Inn, a pavement of geometrical pattern resembling one of the above was found; it measured 15' x 9 1/2'. Part of it is now in the Leics. Museum (d). In the same year a bronze Jupiter, 4" high, was found beneath 12' of made earth (e), and the coins were mostly of the 3-4th cents (to Valens), but included a second brass of Vespasian and two first brasses (Trajan and Nero) (f). The site of this villa is now built over and the pavement gone. (2)
Probably a villa of winged corridor type. (3)
A pavement and numerous finds from this building to be seen in Leicester Museum. Siting on OS. 1/500 accepted. (4)
LE 51 Listed as the site of a winged corridor villa. (5) |