| Summary : A late second century Roman villa built over an earlier Romano-British settlement, it was rebuilt in stone in the fourth century; Roman sepulchres with cremations. Two Roman building were found, one containing an opus signium floor the other having mosaic floors and painted walls. The mosaics probably dates to around 450-475 AD. The two buildings, a winged corrider villa and aisled farmhouse, were set at right angles to each other and both had latrines, baths and hypocausts. The underlying site consisted of huts, a smelting furnace and a ditched enclosure. Pottery, coins and brooches were found on the site. An Iron age lynch pin was discovered during the excavation of the site. |
More information : SK 52446461 Villa Romana (Site of) (R). SK 52516455 Roman
Sepulchres found (NR) (ONB Destroyed) (1)
Two Roman buildings excavated by Hayman Rooke in 1786. One was
of basilican design with opus signinum floors; the other a corridor
house with a mosaic floor and painted walls (see plan from auth
(3)). Two associated burial chambers, one with a cinerary urn,
were also found about 100 yds south east. In 1936-9 A Oswald
re-excavated the site, and confirmed Rooke's discovery. Below the
corridor house was found a 1st/2nd century Romano-British occupation
site, including huts and a smelting furnace, surrounded by a
5 ft deep ditch enclosing about 4 acres (see plans from auth (3)).
Finds of pottery (including Samian at all levels), coins and
brooches, suggest the following chronology:-AD 80; Romano British
wooden huts built. AD 180; All wooden buildings destroyed by fire
and ashes thrown in ditch; first stone building erected AD 300-360;
site deserted.
In the ashes in the ditch was found a Belgic bronze linch pin.
Site not visible on available AP's (RAF 1953 & 1960) (2-4)
The site is on arable land, on a gentle north east facing slope.
The farmer, who has been in occupation only a few years, indicated
on the ground a patch of lighter coloured soil which he had been
informed was where the villa stood. This is at the published
site. (5)
Nottingham University Museum hold much of the late A Oswald's
material but hold no plans of these excavations other than those
published. Prof Todd (chair of archaeology) sees no reason to doubt
the published site. (6)
SK 525645. A Roman Villa east-south-east of Northfield House.
Scheduled. (7)
(SK 52456460) Roman Villa (R) (site of) (8)
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