Roman Mosaic with Eight-Petal Flower Unearthed in Devon Villa
In Halberton, Devon, a farmer's field turned into a fascinating archaeological site when a metal detector enthusiast found a Roman coin, leading to the discovery of a fourth-century C.E. villa. This villa boasts an impressive 130-square-foot mosaic featuring an eight-petal flower surrounded by a distinctive guilloche pattern, marking it as the most westerly of its kind in Roman Britain. The Saving Halberton’s Ancient Roman Environment initiative, in partnership with the University of Exeter and other local organizations, is conducting urgent excavations due to damage from plowing. Artifacts from this site will be displayed at the Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life. Bill Horner highlighted the site's Roman connections, while Susan Greaney pointed out the uniqueness of these mosaics in Devon.
Key facts
- John Hill discovered a Roman coin with a metal detector in a farmer's field near Halberton, Devon.
- The mosaic dates to the fourth century C.E. and covers roughly 130 square feet.
- The mosaic depicts an eight-petal flower with a guilloche border.
- This is the farthest west a polychrome mosaic has been found in Roman-era Britain.
- The villa is 'badly damaged' and 'under threat from further plowing'.
- The project is a partnership between University of Exeter, Devon County Council, Cotswold Archaeology, Tiverton Archaeological Group, and Sampford Peverell Society.
- The villa was originally a modest rectangular structure, later expanded with additional rooms and an entrance porch.
- Artifacts, including the mosaic, will go to the Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life.
Entities
Institutions
- University of Exeter
- Devon County Council
- Cotswold Archaeology
- Tiverton Archaeological Group
- Sampford Peverell Society
- Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life
- BBC News
Locations
- Halberton
- Devon
- England
- United Kingdom
- Pompeii
- Italy