More information : (SU 87409239) Roman Villa (R) (Site of). (1)
In 1722-4, a mosaic floor was discovered by workmen of the
Abbey estate, although no extended excavation was done.
Rediscovered in 1863 when the villa was partly explored by
E J Payne (see plan). Further excavations at SU 873923 under
Francis Colmer in 1932 and later, were confined to areas
already dug by Payne, but were unpublished and the present
location of any finds from these excavations and the earlier
ones is unknown.
The site was excavated in 1954 and four structures belonging
to a Roman villa complex were discovered (see plan) comprising
a medium sized house of double corridor type; a detached
bathhouse; a boundary wall with gate and gatehouse and an
outbuilding of uncertain purpose. The villa was laid out about
AD 150-170 and the baths extensively modified in the early
4th century. The economic basis of the villa is obscure and
so is its ultimate fate. No evidence of destruction was found
and the latest securly dateable object was a worn coin of
AD 320-4. Finds are divided between High Wycombe and
Aylesbury Museums. The site was completely destroyed in 1855-6
by the construction of a swimming bath. (2-3)
A scatter of worked flints and sherds of Ebbsfleet and Beaker
pottery were found beneath the villa by B R Hartley. (4)
No further information. (5)
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