User:Oldchien.rb/Chedworth Roman Villa



Chedworth Roman Villa is located near Chedworth, Gloucestershire, England. It is one of the largest and most elaborate Roman villas so far discovered in Britain and one with the latest occupation beyond the Roman period. The villa was built in phases from the early 2nd century to the 5th century, with the 4th century construction transforming the building into an elite dwelling arranged around three sides of a courtyard. The 4th century building included a heated and furnished west wing containing a dining-room (triclinium) with a fine mosaic floor, as well as two separate bathing suites: one for damp-heat and one for dry-heat.

The villa was discovered in 1863, and it was excavated and put on display soon afterwards. It was acquired in 1924 by the National Trust who have conducted a long-term conservation programme, with new on-site facilities and cover-buildings. It is debated amongst historians whether Chedworth was a villa rustica or a religious sanctuary and hostel, as evidence has been found in support of both arguments. However most currently believe that Chedworth was the former, inhabited by a very wealthy Romano-Briton. It is a scheduled monument.

Siting
The villa stands in a sheltered, shady, position overlooking the River Coln in the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire. It was located just off the Roman road known as the Fosse Way, and 8 mi north of the important town of Corinium Dobunnorum (Cirencester). Cirencester's reputation as a centre of tribal government and a civitas capital led to quick romanisation of the area and resulting prosperity. Chedworth's location in the Cotswolds and the valley of the River Coln was important for agriculture. It was one of about fifty villas in the Cotswolds, and one of nine in just a 5 mile radius.

The villa was deliberately located next to a natural spring in the north west corner of the complex which was the villa's main source of water, and around which was later built an apsidal shrine to the water-nymphs (nymphaeum).

History
'''Goodburn suggests that the initial construction was related to the retirement of veteran soldiers as the area became settled under Roman rule. The two nearest settlements were Glevum (Gloucester), founded in 97 C.E and Corinium (Cirencester) founded in about 50 C.E. When these centres ceased to be military bases, the soldiers retired to lands provided by the roman governorship. These lands were provided in recognition of military service. It is noteworthy that twenty-two Roman villas have been found within a ten mile radius of Chedworth. The villa has gone through several stages of growth and rebuilding. A clear and robust interpretation of the evidence of these different stages can be found both graphically and textually in Goodburn's book produced for the National Trust. ''' The villa was founded about 120 AD, and during this earliest phase (Phase I) the villa consisted of separate buildings around 3 sides of a rectangle open to the east with a bath house to the north. '''The original structures were quite utilitarian in nature and did not reflect the later grandeur of the estate. Archaeologists have identified at least six different periods of construction or re-construction. All of these stages resulted in an expansion or an improvement of the original buildings.''' In the early 3rd century (Phase II) the west and south wings were rebuilt following a fire, and the north bath suite was enlarged with extra rooms added to its eastern side. In the early 4th century (Phase III), the villa was transformed into an elite dwelling enclosing the courtyard. The existing wings were linked by a covered portico, and an inner garden and outer courtyard were created. The dining-room (triclinium) received its mosaics and the northern half of the west wing was converted to become a second set of baths. Shortly afterwards (Phase IIIA) the baths in the north wing were rebuilt and changed to dry-heat (laconicum) baths, which meant that the villa had both damp-heat and dry-heat bathing suites. The floors of at least 15 rooms were decorated with mosaics. In the late 4th century (Phase IV) the north wing was extended with the addition of a new dining-room. Many of the rooms, particularly the dining rooms were heated by  Hypocaust. 

The site is unique in Britain because a significant building phase of the villa dates from the 5th century after the end of Roman rule in Britain (410) and was discovered here in 2017. In room 28 the mosaic and walls on the east and west sides were installed after 424. This is the first evidence that Roman lifestyles continued in Britain much longer than was previously thought, as the building of new rooms with a mosaic shows that prosperity, including mosaic workshops, extended for at least 50 years later than had been expected. Later a workshop was installed on top of the mosaic floor and two hearths, made out of pieces of architecture of the villa, were built into the worn floor of the room. Other mosaics in neighbouring rooms, including room 30, show stylistic similarities and may also be of the 5th century. 52% of the coins found at the villa date from 564-585 showing that intensive occupation continued into the post-Roman period.

Carus-Wilson has suggested that there may have been a  fulling  operation on the site during the 1200's. Perhaps an early article in Scientific American (June 1925) promoted the thought. '''This idea has been latterly disproved by Peter Salway. '''

'''The Chedworth Roman Villa was discovered in the winter of 1863 by a shooting party led by James Farrer M.P. The Earl of Eldon, owner of the property sponsored the initial dig which unearthed several mosaics; subsequently these works of art were reburied for their preservation. In 1924 the site was purchased for the National Trust and has been developed under the supervision of the National Trust since that time. '''

Nymphaeum
'''The pool in the northwest corner of the villa complex was developed from the naturally occurring fresh-water spring which most likely inspired the location of the villa in the first place. The spring became a location for' an apsidal shrine to the water-nymphs (nymphaeum''). The extant curved rear wall is 2 metres high and is the original Roman masonry.

All of the water needs of the villa were provided for by this spring. An octagonal pool is located at the centre and is still fed by the spring; a Christian chi-rho monogram was discovered scratched onto what was the rim of the pool. This symbol had a short presence in the early fourth century but was soon replaced by the original water-nymphs.