Mosaic find has shed new light on villa’s history
EOPLE continued to enjoy a sophisticated life in a luxurious Gloucestershire mansion despite an economic crash that followed Britain ceasing to be part of a European political structure.
The discovery of the country’s first known fifth century mosaic at Chedworth roman villa, near Cirencester, has made historians re-evaluate Britain after it was no longer part the Roman empire – and left one “reeling with shock”.
Radiocarbon dating of the material found in Room 28 of the villa during a National Trust excavation showed that mosaic-making was still taking place in the Dark Ages – even though craftsmen had become less skilled.
Up until now, it has been believed that, following the ‘financial crisis’ at the end of the fourth century, all towns and villas were largely abandoned and fell into decay within a few years.
Villas such as Chedworth were thought to have been largely abandoned, but the finds show that the good life was still being enjoyed in the luxury mansion after the Romans had left.
Chedworth is one of the largest Roman villas in the country and one of the best preserved, with 35 exposed rooms and many significant features, including fine mosaics.
Dr Stephen Cosh, who has written about Britain’s known Roman mosaics, said: “I am still reeling from the shock of this dating.
“There are very late Roman mosaics in the area for which archaeology can only ever say they must be later than a particular date, without being able to say how much later.
“But none has ever been suspected to be this late. There is no question that this find at Chedworth is of enormous significance – it’s tremendously exciting”
What was found?
Charcoal and bone sealed within a foundation trench in the north range of Chedworth villa have provided radiocarbon dates that show that the wall could not have been built until after AD 424 and that a mosaic must be later than this date.
It is believed that the dated wall of the villa was constructed to subdivide an existing room and a mosaic laid in the newly-created room.
As with many floors where the central area saw more wear and tear, the best preserved parts of the mosaic are on the margins of the room.
What did the archaeological work involve?
The work that began in 2012 was part of a six-year programme of archaeological digs and research which is shedding new light on Chedworth roman villa and the history of Romans in the South West. Research and dating on the mosaic have recently been completed.
Martin Papworth, a National Trust archaeologist, said: “The fifth century is a time which marks the beginning of the sub-roman period, often called the ‘Dark Ages’, a time from which few documents survive, and evidence is scarce.
“After almost 400 years, Britain had been lost by Rome, units of the regular army and members of the civil service were being withdrawn or no longer paid in cash, and their wages in the form of coinage ceased to be brought into Britain. This saw production decline, and the craft and service industries became unsustainable.
“It has generally been believed that most of the population turned to subsistence farming to sustain themselves and, after the break with Rome, Britannia’s administrative system broke down into a series of local fiefdoms.
“What is so exciting about the dating of this mosaic at Chedworth is that it is evidence for a more gradual decline. The creation of a new room and the laying of a new floor suggests wealth, and a mosaic industry continuing 50 years later than had been expected.
“This fifth century date was so different from what is generally thought that after discussions with the National Trust’s expert advisers, a second radiocarbon date was needed alongside pottery analysis before I could be sure.”
What about the mosaic?
This mosaic is of poorer quality than mosaics dating from Roman times in the villa, and contains several mistakes in its design – evidence that the mosaicists had become less skilled.
Mr Papworth added: “It is interesting to speculate why Chedworth villa’s owners were still living in this style well into the fifth century. Many large, richly decorated Roman villas have been found in the countryside around Cirencester, which is around eight miles from Chedworth.
“By the end of the fourth century, Cirencester was the second largest Romano-british town after London and had become the capital of a separate province ‘Britannia Prima’.
The wealth of these villas surrounding this provincial capital surpassed that of any group found across Britain.
“We have also made occasional finds of fifth to sixth century pottery from Africa and Palestine at Chedworth, which are also strong indicators of subRoman high-status occupation at this time.
“Scraps of similar pottery which have been found in other villas suggest that Chedworth was not a unique survivor during the troubled times of the fifth century.”
I am still reeling from the shock of this dating Dr Stephen Cosh
What happens now?
The mosaic, along with some other mosaics in the exposed North Range at Chedworth, has been reburied to protect it from the weather. However, photographs can be seen on this page.
The National Trust is hoping to source funding to produce an augmented reality experience to showcase this and other mosaics uncovered on the North Range.