Summary
Excavations in 1977, 1982/3 and 1997 revealed the eastward extension of the south wing, which had not been investigated in the C19th / early C20th. Results of the interventions show that the C4th south wing corridor mirrored the north wing in style and form with hypocausted rooms, representing luxury dwelling apartments.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- VILLA (Roman - 43 AD to 400 AD (between))
Description
Excavations in 1982/3 and 1997 revealed the eastward extension of the south wing, which had not previously been investigated in the C19 or early C20th. Results of the interventions show that the C4th south wing mirrored the north wing in style and form with a corridor / portico to the north and hypocausted rooms representing luxury dwelling apartments to the south. [SNA62018]
The C4th villa's plan was shown to be rectangular, with the newly-uncovered rooms on the same alignment as rooms 1-3. The corridor itself was provided with a shallow hypocaust and the suggestion of a second story was made by the thicker nature of the walls when compared to those of the north wing. [SNA62018]
The excavation also revealed a stone wall from a previous Roman building phase, although the construction of the C4th room and corridor had removed any other evidence for earlier structures in this area. Additionally there was evidence in the form of post-Roman material, particularly in the corridor, which it was felt could have continued in use after the main buildings of the villa due to its narrow dimensions allowing easy maintenance of the roof structure. It was also suggested that a contemporary rubble spread in the room to the south may have been to retain hillwash and prevent the blocking of the hypocaust channels below the corridor, which appear in this period to be acting as drains for water running off the slope to the south. [SNA62018]
Evidence for later (medieval) agricultural use of the area was also seen, with plough marks on stones, while a drystone boundary wall with gatepost was also recorded and interpreted as medieval /post-medieval sheep pens, recorded as MNA148219 [SNA62018]
References
- SNA62018 - Unpublished document: Atkins Heritage. 2006. Chedworth Roman Villa Archaeological Assessment.
- SNA62028 - National Trust Report: Atkins Heritage. 2007. Chedworth Roman Villa Conservation Management Plan Gazetteer.
- SNA65299 - Unpublished document: Martin Papworth. 2012. Report on south part of field immdediately E of Chedworth Roman Villa.
- SNA66420 - Unpublished document: UCL Institute of Archaeology. 2007. The reburial of three archaeological excavation trenches at Chedworth Roman Villa 2007.
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
- ENA106 - Archaeological Intervention, Excavation of drainage channel and soakaway pit, Chedworth Roman Villa (Ref: INT 35)
- ENA19 - Archaeological Intervention, Excavation of the South Wing, Chedworth Roman Villa (Ref: INT 106)
- ENA21 - Archaeological Intervention, Magnetometry and Resistivity Survey, Courtyards and North Wing, Chedworth Roman Villa (Ref: INT 108)
- ENA45 - Archaeological Intervention, Upper and Lower Courtyard Excavations in 2001, Chedworth Roman Villa (Ref: INT 125/6)
- ENA6852 - Field Survey, Geophysical Survey in field east of villa July 2012
- ENA89 - Archaeological Intervention, Shoesmith's Excavations in advance of the new reception building, Chedworth Roman Villa (Ref: INT 24)
- ENA7955 - Archaeological Intervention, The reburial of three archaeological excavation trenches at Chedworth Roman Villa April 2007
Associated Finds
None Recorded