Our recent commercial excavation at Earth Trust has revealed an extraordinary collection of archaeological discoveries, some of which have made national and international news headlines. We’ve mapped out the most significant finds that are helping us piece together thousands of years of human activity at this remarkable site.
Notable Discoveries
Our excavation has uncovered several significant finds which offer valuable insights into different periods of human occupation on site:
The Roman Villa – The centrepiece of our discoveries is the footprint of a Roman villa. Including a large structure, complete with columns and measuring 33m in length. The discovery of domestic artefacts associated with the villa, including pottery and kitchenware, has been valuable in helping us understand what life was like here 2,000 years ago.
Iron Age Settlement – The excavation also revealed the footprints of at least 15 Iron Age roundhouses. Within the settlement, we also uncovered ditches for managing land and pits used for storage and offerings to their gods. The most significant discovery was an elite blacksmith’s workshop: a rare discovery which helps inform our understanding of these enigmatic Iron Age craftsmen.
Roman Cemetery – Our excavation uncovered a cemetery containing 42 burials, with 38 dating to the Roman period. Several of the Roman graves contained personal items, most notably three burials that each included an intricately carved bone comb. The cemetery also revealed seven unusual (or ‘deviant’) burials: five individuals were interred face-down, while two individuals showed evidence of decapitation, with their skulls carefully placed at their feet. These non-standard burial practices offer intriguing insights into Romano-British funerary customs and social practices in the region.
Archaeological Significance
The finds uncovered from this site are valuable for understanding how different ancient communities utilised this landscape over thousands of years.
Several of our findings, particularly the remains of a tiny Roman lapdog and evidence of the Iron Age blacksmith, have attracted significant media attention, featuring in both national and international news headlines. As we continue to analyse the material recovered during the excavation, we expect to uncover additional insights into these ancient communities.
We look forward to sharing further findings as our research progresses, and we’re grateful to Earth Trust for enabling this important archaeological work. The discoveries made here will contribute significantly to our understanding of Britain’s rich cultural heritage.
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