A group of archeology students from the University of Leicester have made a significant discovery in the Leicestershire countryside.
The remains of a Roman villa believed to date back to the 2nd century was unearthed during a two-week dig in May, part of a field school for first-year students.
This recent discovery of the impressive 70-meter-long structure follows the university's 2021 discovery of another Roman villa beneath a farmer's field in Rutland, renowned for its Trojan War mosaic.
According to the University of Leicester, the newly uncovered villa offers valuable insights into Roman country houses in rural Britain.
Supervised by experienced archaeologists from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), the students discovered a range of artefacts.
They found fragments of brightly painted wall plaster and mosaic tiles, suggesting that the rooms were decorated in line with contemporary Roman fashions.
Dr. Philippa Walton, a lecturer in Roman archeology at the university, praised the students for gaining numerous new skills and significantly contributing to the understanding of Roman life in Leicestershire.
She said: “The students' hands-on experience has been invaluable in enhancing our knowledge of Roman habitation in the region.”
Dr. Walton also told Newsweek of a “rather mysterious” stone-lined feature that was unearthed by the team, which could have been used for storage.
The excavation was documented for a feature by Time Team, focusing on the students' first dig experience. Dr. John Gater from Time Team highlighted the use of advanced surveying techniques.
He said: “The magnetic survey revealed a complex landscape of features, including ring ditches and field systems, while the ground-penetrating radar mapped the villa's footprint.
“Despite many of the floor surfaces being robbed out, it was incredible to see the large granite stone blocks forming some of the wall foundations.”
The university reported that numerous Roman artefacts had been discovered at the site over the years. Recently identified crop marks have revealed prehistoric settlement ditches and the villa, adding to the site's historical significance.