Archaeology breakthrough as experts unearth historic Roman villa in UK

Archeologists discovered an incredible Roman villa in Wiltshire’s Chalke Valley with the help of volunteers.

The team of archaeologists were assisted by 60 volunteers after metal detectorists reported a number of finds in the area – and this incredible discovery was an impressive find.

It is the first time the site has been excavated and it is the only Roman villa to be found in the area.

The villa had columns, mosaics, a bath house and possible outdoor pool, reports BBC.

It will be moved to the Salisbury Museum after undergoing analysis to determine more information about the site.

Dr Denise Wilding, of Teffont Archaeology which ran the dig, said: “They’ve put some time and money into making it quite a nice place to be.”

Dr David Roberts, from Cardiff University and part of Teffont Archaeology, was the dig’s co-director.

He said: “The site was likely the centre of a significant estate in the later Roman period, and its owners must have extracted a great deal of labour and surplus from the local farming communities to fund their luxury lifestyle.”

The excavation unveiled an area which may have been an outdoor pool and the findings of the dig were said to indicate a luxurious site.

Researchers aim to examine other items found in the area, such as animal bones which will help them determine more about everyday life.

Dr Wilding said that detectorists had been reporting finds to Salisbury Museum for a while via the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which records items discovered by the public.

After further investigations, the Cranborne Chase National Landscape’s Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme funded the dig and called for volunteers.

A spokesperson for Teffont Archaeology said: “We are grateful to all of our volunteers, and to all National Lottery players as our funding was from the National Heritage Lottery Fund through Cranborne Chase National Landscape’s Chase and Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme.”