Exning Roman Villa |
| Hob Uid: 377367 | |
Location :
Suffolk
West Suffolk
Exning
|
| Grid Ref : TL6121067590 |
| Summary : Site of a Roman villa located circa 1.5 kilometres north-west of Exning, and 1 kilometre south-west of the Cambridgeshire village of Landwade (NB the site has been referred to frequently as the Landwade Villa. However, the fact that Landwade is in a different county to the villa has caused some confusion). The site was first discovered in 1904 during work in an orchard. A mosaic pavement discovered then was removed to the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. A proposal to convert the orchard to arable land in 1958 prompted trial excavations that year and, the following year, complete excavation of the building that had contained the mosaic. The earliest phase of activity was represented by a complex of ditches, post holes and pits, none of which form obvious patterns or structures, but all of which probably date to the 1st and early 2nd century AD. The next phase saw construction of a large timber building, which was replaced around the late 3rd century by a stone building which itself saw several phases of development. A date towards the middle of the fourth century is suggested for the destruction of the building, although the evidence is rather vague. Wheel ruts crossing the site are believed to be of medieval date. Finds from the site include pottery, coins, a shale bracelet, some animal bones, and painted wall plaster. A gas pipeline dug in 1968 and passing close to the villa revealed evidence for substantial Romano-British activity extending for nearly a mile, and up to 200 yards wide. |
More information : (TL 61216760) Roman Villa (R) (Site of) (1)
Roman villa at Landwade, discovered 1904. Excavations in
1958-9, in advance of deep ploughing, revealed irregular timber
hutments of Flavian date succeeded by a timber barn-dwelling
104 feet long with an 18ft nave and 8ft aisle, teminating at
the SE and in a large V-shaped gulley containing early 2nd
century pottery. The aisle wall was rebuilt in stone in the
later 2nd century and a small bath-house added at the NW end
of the nave. In the earlier 3rd century the whole building was
rebuilt in stone, the bath-house remodelled and a dining-room
with an unusual semi-circular mosaic added at the SE end. A
large heated room was later added SE of the dining-room. By the
early 4th century the building had been destroyed by fire. A
piece of the mosaic is preserved in Cambridge Museum of
Archaeology. (2-5)
(Centred TL 609671) A gas pipe-line dug in 1968 and passing
close to the villa revealed a large Romano-British settlement
extending for nearly a mile from TL 61206750 to TL 60376628 and
apparently up to 200 yards wide. Over 40 pits were discovered,
also sleeper-beam trenches (some possibly representing the
footings of a rectangular structure), post holes and V-shaped
ditches. Similar ditches were noted at TL 61596796, beyond the
limits of the main settlement area. Large quantities of pottery
were found, mainly 2nd to 4th century, although there were also
some late Iron Age wares, and jars of Belgic form, 1st or early
2nd century. Other finds included fragments of bricks, roof
tiles and box tiles. (6)
Area of villa now under plough. OS siting confirmed by scatter
of building material. (7)
TL 612 676 Landwade Villa. Timber huts of the Flavian period revealed in recent excavations. (8)
Details and illustrations of the aisled building found during excavations at the site. (9) |