Britain’s first known 5th-century mosaic discovered in Gloucestershire

National Trust archaeologists working at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire have received unexpected results following the radiocarbon dating of material uncovered during an excavation

The results reveal that a mosaic was created in the middle of the 5th century, long after villas like Chedworth were thought to have been largely abandoned.

The dating shows that sophisticated life had continued within this luxury mansion, decades after Britain ceased to be part of the Roman Empire and the country had entered the ‘Dark Ages’.

The 5th-century mosaic has an intricate design comprising an outer border with a series of circles in ‘guilloche’ (a braided band) alternately filled with flowers and knots. However,

the mosaic is of poorer quality than the well-made mosaics dating to the late 4th century in Chedworth Roman Villa, and contains several mistakes in its design, possibly evidence that the mosaicists had become less skilled by this time.

The mosaic, along with some other mosaics in the exposed North Range at Chedworth, has been reburied following the excavation to protect it from the weather. However, photographs and a 3D flythrough video of the mosaic can be seen at www.nationaltrust. org.uk/chedworth