Roman villa uncovered in Rutland

A British man stumbled upon a forgotten Roman villa while walking through family fields in Rutland, a small county in central England. The villa had been hidden for over 15 centuries before this discovery.

Mosaic depicts Trojan War scene

The villa's reception room floor contains a mosaic that is unique in the United Kingdom. It portrays a dramatic scene from the Trojan War, specifically showing Achilles confronting Hector, with Hector's body being dragged behind a chariot.

Discovery during 2020 lockdown

The discovery was made during the 2020 lockdown when the individual noticed pottery shards while walking through the family fields. This prompted further investigation into the area.

Satellite images lead to excavation

Using satellite images, he identified an unusual mark in the field, which led to an archaeological team from the University of Leicester being called in. Historic England funded an emergency excavation starting in August 2020, led by the university's ULAS team.

Further excavation in 2021

A second campaign took place in September 2021, involving archaeology students. This helped uncover more details about the villa and its construction.

Mosaic's size and significance

The mosaic floor measures approximately 11 meters by 7 meters and covered the floor of a large dining room. Its size and the detailed depiction of the Trojan War scene suggest it was a significant and well-funded Roman villa.