Time Team - Coberley Villa, Coberley, Gloucestershire - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results

Wessex Archaeology

Eleven trenches were excavated to investigate the extent, character and condition of the Coberley villa remains. The trenches targeted a mosaic pavement discovered by metal detectorists in 2003 and structural remains indicated by geophysical surveying to exist in the vicinity of the mosaic. The remains of a demolished villa were recorded which appeared to have been H-shaped in plan.

The evidence suggests that the north and south wings were possibly later additions to an original structure. The mosaic pavement appeared to be within a triclinium. The central panel had been removed, possibly evidence of Christian iconoclastic destruction. Dating evidence from the Site suggests that the villa was constructed in the 2nd century AD; the mosaic is dated on stylistic grounds to the late 2nd to early 3rd century. There is no firm evidence for the abandonment of the villa, but the presence of a little 4th century pottery, and several mid to late 4th century coins, indicates use of the Site well into the late Roman period, although all this evidence comes from post-demolition contexts.

Geophysics also located evidence of industrial activity on the Site. One of the geophysical anomalies was excavated and transpired to be a partly demolished kiln, the stone-built, subterranean element of which was still preserved in situ. The kiln was probably producing roof tile for the villa construction.