REWRITING HISTORY

 

 

The existence of a 5th-Century mosaic

floor at Chedworth villa in Gloucestershire

contradicts established ideas about

post-Roman Britain. Helen Morgan reports:      

                                                                                    Image: Stephen Haywood National Trust 

Previously, it had been believed all Roman towns and villas were abandoned and fell into decay at the end of the 4th Century. After almost 400 years of Roman occupation, Britain had been lost as the Empire crumbled. Soldiers and members of the civil service were withdrawn or no longer paid in cash. Production declined and the industries the Romans had created became unsustainable. With the arrival of the Anglo Saxons in the 5th Century, Britannia entered the Dark Ages with most of the population turning to subsistence farming. Or so it was thought.

Not true, says Martin Papworth, an archaeologist who worked on the site. “Radiocarbon tests show the recently uncovered mosaic must have been created after 424AD, possibly as late as 560AD. This discovery not only changes our understanding of Chedworth, but also the Romanised way of living in Britain as a whole.” It is still not known who owned Chedworth but a possible clue to the source of the villa owner exists in an earlier mosaic floor where Bacchus, the god of wine, fertility and agriculture, is heavily represented.

Most mosaics at Chedworth date to the 4th century. The villa was a place of opulence and luxury with extensive bath house rooms and features made from marble — a material so precious it was usually reserved for the imperial family. “Whilst this (latest) mosaic doesn't show the high level of skill of other mosaics at Chedworth, the creation of a new room well into the 5th century and the laying of a new floor indicates that wealthy individuals were continuing to pursue an opulent lifestyle later than previously thought,” says Martin Papworth. “Indeed, this 5th-century date was so different from what is generally thought, that after discussions with the National Trust’s experts, a second radiocarbon date was needed alongside pottery analysis before we could be sure. It is interesting to speculate why Chedworth Villa’s owners were still living in this style well into the 5th century and it seems that in the West Country, especially in and near Cirencester, the Romanised way of life was sustained for a while.”

Martin Papworth’s talk on the Chedworth mosaic at the Borough Theatre on September 18th starts at 7.30pm. It is free to members. Non-members can join on the night or in advance via this website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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