Another Roman Villa found in Gloucestershire

[Melvadius]

This is Gloucestershire reports the discovery of a "new" Roman villa site. This was apparently by a team from Oxford Archaeology working in advance of pipe laying by Severn Water. I find it interesting that the quote from the archaeologist involved indicates that despite the discvovery of the skeleton headlining the article this is still early days in the excavation so there may be a lot more detail in weeks to come of what they have actually found. I do find the 'clothing' reference a bit suspect as that type of discovery is very ependent on the right soil conditions including the amount of permanent waterlogging on the site.

 

 

[quote[A 2,000-YEAR-OLD human skeleton has been unearthed alongside Iron Age artefacts near Tewkesbury.

 

Archaeologists uncovered signs of the ancient Roman villa in a field on the edge of Bredon's Norton. It is thought the finds could be of national importance.

 

Metal detector hunts in recent years had led historians to suspect an ancient community might be found there.

 

That was confirmed when contractors who were laying a new water pipeline began digging.

 

Senior project manager Stuart Foreman is leading a team of archaeologists on a six-week excavation at the site.

 

Mr Foreman, of Oxford Archaeology, said thousands of pieces of masonry, nails, tiles, pottery and clothing will have been unearthed by the time the project is complete.

 

The area being examined is 200 metres long and 15 metres wide.

 

He said: "Whenever you find a new villa, it's of national importance. It's pretty unusual to find a new villa that hasn't been recognised before. It's an important local centre."

 

He said large pieces of masonry and flagstone flooring had been found and it was well preserved.

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