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opposite Recent radiocarbon dating of materials excavated at Chedworth Roman villa in Gloucestershire suggests that this mosaic may have been laid after AD 424 which would make it Britain’s first-known 5th-century mosaic.
The case for Chedworth villa: exploring evidence for 5th-century occupation
Excavations at Chedworth villa in Gloucestershire have provided striking evidence of its inhabitants enjoying life in the style of high-status Romans, long after the traditional end of imperial occupation in this country – including what might be Britain’s first 5th-century mosaic. Martin Papworth reports.
Chedworth in Gloucestershire is one of the largest and finest examples of a Roman villa in Britain, and recent research suggests it may also have been exceptional in its longevity. Radiocarbon dating has now indicated that a wealthy family continued to live there, in some style, well into the 5th century – the first time that this has been convincingly demonstrated for any of the villas of Britannia.
Lying at the head of an east-facing coombe with fine views across the Colne Valley, Chedworth was begun c.AD 120, and by AD 370 the villa had developed to become a distinctive place of luxury with three ranges of rooms constructed along the south, west, and north sides of two courtyards. Im
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