More information : (SP 66675865) Roman Building (GS) (site of) (1)
A villa was found in 1699 at Nether Heyford in Horestone or Horsestone meadow. The principal discovery was part of a polychrome mosaic with an elaborate geometrical design. Some other rooms were observed to have white plaster floors with coloured borders. Also found were roofing slates, tiles, painted wall plaster, samian, and other sherds. In 1780 the mosaic was taken up and used to mend roads, and in 1821 the site was re-examined with no important results. Baker (b) estimated the whole area of the building "as marked by the disturbed surface and discoloured vegetation "at no more than 100 feet" (a)(b). (2)
"RB sherds, some pavement, and some foundations have been located in field no 97" at (SP 66675865) ... " I have previously mentioned that I have already exposed a portion of the pavement which tallies with the drawing given by Morton and the VCH". (The siting symbol of the villa was moved to this point in the revision of 1958; previously it had been placed at SP 66505832). (3)
A roughly rectangular patch of lighter coloured vegetation is visible at the precise position that the building is published. (4)
The field is under plough, small fragments of RB greyware at the published site found during investigation. (5)
Roman building (SP 666583). RCHM Inventory supplies further bibliographic references. (6)
NH 85 Listed as the site of a Roman villa. (7) |