A rare Roman mosaic, elaborate bathhouse and high-status artefacts have been uncovered during a major archaeological project in Mid Devon supported Devon County Council.
The discoveries were made during a two-month dig on farmland between Halberton and Sampford Peverell, led by the University of Exeter and Cotswold Archaeology.
We are one the partners in the National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed SHARE project, alongside the University of Exeter, Cotswold Archaeology, Tiverton Archaeology Group and the Sampford Peverell Society.
Bill Horner, County Archaeologist at Devon County Council, said:
“The polychrome mosaic is the most westerly example to have been found in a villa in Roman Britain. “This, and the other trappings of Roman civilisation and evidence of affluence that have been found, show how much even this far-flung part of the province had been integrated into the Roman Empire.”
The mosaic, made up of thousands of red, white and dark blue-grey cubes, is thought to have formed a striking floor feature in one of the villa’s rooms. It was probably installed during the fourth century AD.
Archaeologists have also uncovered an elaborate bathhouse away from the main villa, with at least two plunge pools and painted plaster walls.
Finds from the site include a blue glass intaglio depicting the goddess Victory, a delicate copper alloy bangle, a fine silver-plated spoon, pieces of pottery and a large storage jar.
The combination of finds suggests the villa was occupied by people of wealth and status, living a very Roman lifestyle. Such evidence is rare in Devon, where only a handful of Roman villas are known.
We commissioned a geophysical survey of the site after it was initially identified by metal detectorist John Hill in 2004. Community volunteers later found tiles, mosaic tiles and roofing slates through coordinated fieldwalking and small-scale excavations.
The survey confirmed the presence of enclosures and probable buildings, paving the way for further excavations and surveys, including work carried out by a University of Exeter PhD student, which later revealed the presence of the mosaics.
Scores of community volunteers have taken part in the excavation, working alongside 65 archaeology students and professional project members.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Biodiversity, said:
“This has been a once-in-a-lifetime chance for local people to get involved in a groundbreaking excavation of a Roman villa.
“Opportunities like this are incredibly rare, and what makes this project even more special is that the public has been part of the story from the start — from the first discoveries through to the work that has helped confirm the importance of the site.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, local volunteers, schools and community groups have helped uncover and will protect an extraordinary piece of Devon’s Roman past.”
Dr Susan Greaney, project lead from the University of Exeter’s Department of Archaeology and History, said:
“At the outset, we knew this villa, and its surrounding working areas, was an important site for understanding the ‘Romanisation’ of Devon.
“But from day one, it has offered us a wealth of interesting and sometimes surprising finds in addition to this striking polychrome mosaic. We did not expect to find such an elaborate bathhouse, for example. This villa was undoubtedly home to people of wealth and high standing.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“These exciting discoveries are transforming our understanding of Devon’s Roman past.
“The project is uncovering nationally significant heritage while giving local communities and young people the chance to play a part in its discovery and learn new skills along the way. This once-in-a-lifetime archaeological journey is helping to protect and share these amazing stories for generations to come.”
Their work has shown that the villa is larger than first thought. Archaeologists believe it may have been extended several times from its original, modest rectangular layout.
Additional rooms were added to the north and south ends, while walls and a rainwater gulley at the rear suggest the area may have been used for storage or kitchens. Evidence of a timber staircase suggests part of the villa may have had two storeys.
Two further stone-built buildings have also been excavated. One contains at least two large water tanks, thought to be a plunge bath, built from opus signinum, a form of waterproof Roman concrete. The other is a large rectangular building that may have been used as a barn or for agriculture.
Having fully uncovered the mosaic, specialists will lift it in July so it can be preserved at Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, along with the other artefacts recovered from the site.
This year’s dig is the first of three annual visits to the site. Future excavations are expected to focus on the wider Roman estate on neighbouring land.
Dan Sausins, the Project Officer leading Cotswold Archaeology’s team, said:
“This excavation is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when professional archaeologists, community volunteers, university staff and students work together.
“The mosaic is naturally the standout discovery, but the metal artefacts recovered have also been outstanding and are a great advert for responsible metal-detecting, with detectorist John Hill — who originally identified this site — a key part of the success.
“It’s been a real pleasure to lead this excavation and share the area’s history with the local community, and I’ve been delighted by the interest and hard work of all involved.”