More information : (Sited from map SP76893960). The site of a Roman villa was discovered during the building of a new school at Deanshanger in 1957, and was excavated that year. A house-block 50' by 150' was found, with extensive out-buildings, all in a courtyard enclosed by a stone wall. Traces of buildings outside the yard were also found. Settlement began late in the 1st c, and continued at least until the middle of the 4th c. (1) The site of the Villa is now under the school cricket pitch. Some of the finds from the site are on display in school entrance hall, the remainder are in the possession of Mr C W Green. See attached pamphlet. (2) SP 770396 Excavation in 1972 by P J Woods on the site of the enlarged playing field, some 70m SE of the corridor villa revealed an associated field system with farm buildings covering 3.4 acres. One circular hut and a three-phase ditch system date from 60-140 AD. Two othere huts are circa 160-240 AD. The only structure with stone foundations was a 3rd century barn, 13.2 by at least 21.8m, to which a square shed was later attached. Other features recognised were gravel quarries, a drinking pool, a T shaped corn drying oven and pottery and small finds from 1st to 4th centuries AD. (4) RCHM Inventory supplies additional references and notes a silver denarius of Sallustia Barbia Orbiana found on the site in 1963. (5)
Listed in gazetteer of Roman villas (10).
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