SDO21580 - Roman graves and mosaics in danger. Current Archaeology 77 July 2004

‘Dramatic events in southern England show that unrecorded destruction can still occur at event well known sites. In Dorset, archaeologists are appealing for funds to record a Roman villa with mosaics close to the site of the unique Hinton St Mary Christian mosaic. … At Shillingstone, Dorset, archaeologists excavated a suspected temple or bath house, with walls surviving to 12 courses high, before construction of low-cost housing. When building began in May, however, an unforeseen large 4th-century Roman villa was exposed. John Valentin of AC Archaeology, who excavated the bath house and is now working with local amateurs to record the villa, tells British Archaeology that developer Wyatt Homes were ‘very good’, allowing them additional time on site. The late discovery, however, means money must be found. The site may be particularly important because of its proximity to the famous Hinton St Mary mosaic depicting a chi-rho design. Valentin says there are pieces of mosaic at the villa, and there is a good possibility that floors have survived.’