Archaeologists excavating a rare Roman villa in the Devon countryside have uncovered an extensive high-status estate complete with a bathhouse, industrial buildings and what is now recognised as the westernmost polychrome villa mosaic ever discovered in Britain.
The discoveries were made during the first excavation season of the five-year Saving Halberton’s Ancient Roman Environment (SHARE) project, led by the University of Exeter and Cotswold Archaeology with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The villa, which dates from approximately the 2nd to the 4th century AD, occupies a prominent position overlooking the surrounding landscape. Excavations have shown that the building evolved considerably during its occupation, expanding from a modest rectangular structure into a substantial residence roughly three times its original size.
Archaeologists identified evidence for multiple phases of construction, including additional northern and southern rooms, a front porch, and possible remains of a timber staircase that may have led to an upper floor beneath a pitched roof. Wall foundations and a rainwater drainage system were also uncovered at the rear of the building.
Britain’s Most Westerly Polychrome Villa Mosaic
One of the excavation’s most significant discoveries came from a small room, thought to have served as a dining space, where archaeologists uncovered the remains of an elaborate mosaic floor.
Although centuries of ploughing had damaged much of the pavement, sections remained in situ, while numerous displaced tesserae were recovered from the overlying soil.
Constructed from 12-millimetre tesserae of red terracotta, white stone and dark blue stone, the mosaic features a central floral motif formed from eight overlapping teardrop-shaped petals. The design is framed by interlocking squares decorated with guilloché, a characteristic Roman braided pattern commonly used in high-status decorative flooring.
Conservation specialists from Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum supervised the careful lifting of the mosaic, which will eventually be displayed alongside other finds from the excavation at Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life.
Bill Horner, Devon County Council’s County Archaeologist and Historic Environment Manager, said the mosaic represents “the most westerly example to have been found in a villa in Britain,” adding that it demonstrates how deeply even this remote corner of Roman Britain had become integrated into the wider Roman Empire.
Bathhouse Reveals Changing Roman Architecture
A second excavation trench revealed an unexpectedly elaborate bathhouse associated with the villa.
The complex contained two plunge pools constructed from opus signinum, a waterproof Roman building material made by mixing lime mortar with crushed pottery and tile.
Evidence indicates that both pools underwent several phases of alteration during the bathhouse’s lifetime. One pool appears to have been abandoned before being incorporated into an underfloor heating system, suggesting the expansion of a heated room. The second pool was remodelled from an original square plan into a larger rectangular layout.
The discovery provides valuable insight into the evolution of private bathing facilities at rural Roman estates in south-west Britain.
Industrial Activity Beside the Villa
Beyond the residential complex, archaeologists uncovered a substantial outbuilding that appears to have served an industrial function.
Excavations revealed furnaces containing ash, charcoal and hammerscale—the ironworking waste produced during forging—indicating metalworking activity on the site. Nearby charcoal deposits, rake-out pits and a stokehole associated with another furnace suggest a dedicated workshop area.
Although the precise purpose of the furnaces has yet to be determined, archaeologists believe they formed part of a broader industrial zone supporting the villa estate. Large quantities of animal bone and worked antler were also recovered.
Luxury Finds Reflect Elite Occupation
A diverse collection of artefacts points to the wealth and status of the villa’s inhabitants.
Among the discoveries were a silver-plated Roman spoon, two glass intagli from finger rings—one depicting the goddess Victory—fragments of a large imported amphora, painted wall plaster, a decorated bone pin, fine pottery, and an indented drinking beaker.
Particularly notable was a fragment of a Samian ware mortarium featuring a lion’s head spout, an unusually decorative mixing bowl recovered near the bathhouse.
According to Dr Susan Greaney of the University of Exeter, the excavation has exceeded expectations.
“At the outset, we knew this villa and its surrounding working areas would be an important site for understanding the Romanisation of Devon, but from day one it has offered us a wealth of interesting and sometimes surprising finds in addition to the striking polychrome mosaic. We did not expect to find such an elaborate bathhouse. This villa was undoubtedly home to people with wealth and high standing.”
Community Archaeology
The excavation also formed a major community archaeology initiative.
Over three months, 163 local volunteers contributed more than 3,600 hours to the project, while over 65 university students received practical training in excavation, survey and archaeological recording.
The site itself was first identified more than two decades ago by local metal detectorist John Hill, whose discovery of Roman artefacts prompted further investigation through fieldwalking, geophysical survey and trial excavation, ultimately leading to the confirmation of the villa.
Future excavation seasons will focus on expanding investigations of the bathhouse, industrial complex and the wider surrounding landscape, with archaeologists hoping to better understand the estate’s economic role and its place within Roman Devon.
Sources : Cotswold Archaeology
