| Summary : The site of a Roman villa discovered in 1953 and excavated in 1955-6 by Phillip Rahtz on behalf of the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works. The excavation revealed a villa with tessellated floors, at least two featuring mosaics, a hypocaust and bath house. Other features towards the river were only partially examined, but included a large corn drying oven, a possible well, minor buildings and drainage ditches. The Roman features extend over an area of about 12 acres. Finds, including one of the mosaics, are in Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. |
More information : (SU 18142106) The discovery of a 'white' tessellated
floor in the garden of 12 Moot Close, flint footings and sherds
in 1953 (see site plan) led to the partial uncovering of a
building by Morley Hewitt and excavation by Rahtz on behalf of
the MPBW in 1955-6, in advance of housing development.
The excavation revealed a villa with tessellated floors, (at
least two containing mosaic work), hypocaust and bath house,
only partially excavated owing to a railway cutting (see plan)
Below the villa towards the river, were other features, only a
few of which were thoroughly explored. There was a large corn
drying oven, a possible well, minor buildings and drainage
ditches; beyond were the peripheral roads of the estate. Between
the roads and the river there was only a scatter of pottery and a
few ovens and hearths.
The area over which Roman finds and structures were found
extended to about 12 acres. The buildings and roads were
built in the late 3rd - early 4th c's and probably remained in
use until the middle of the 4th c. The finds, including one of
the mosaics, are in Salisbury Museum. (1)
Roman Villa (R) (site of). (2)
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