More information : (SU 283456295) Roman Villa (R) (Site of). (1)
Brail Wood villa, SU 28356295, discovered circa 1780, partially
excavated by W C Lukis in 1853-4 and E R Pole in 1936.
Structural remains brought to light consisted of two small areas
of tessellated pavement, slabs of colite, a mortar floor and a
large lead cistern. Small finds included a gold finger-ring,
bronze spoon and bracelet, four bronze rings, 1st cent. pottery
and New Forest and rosette-stamped ware. (2)
The remains of a villa discovered about 80 years ago, with
valuable specimens of tessellated pavement, foundations of
brick-work and a massive lead cisten. Several pavements were
discovered near the same spot in 1853. (3)
Excavations in 1936 and 1937 were hampered by tree roots dense
vegetation and previous disturbances, but two areas of
tessellated pavements were found, and in one place a bed of
mortar assumed to be the base of a tessellated pavement was
found to overlie another level bed of mortar, suggesting the
existence of an earlier building on the same site. Tesserae and
broken roof-tiles of red earthenware and pennant stone were
scattered all over the site. Of the pottery found, most was 3rd
or 4th century, and there was nothing that needed to be earlier
than the latter part of the 2nd century. (4)
The excavation site is traceable as numerous amorphous pits and
mound but there are no visible surveyable remains of the villa.
Two limestone blocks and many Roman sherds were found during
field investigation. OS siting accepted. (5)
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