Evolution of a Romano-British Courtyard Villa: Excavations at the former Dings Crusaders Rugby Ground, Stoke Gifford 2016-2018

Excavations between 2016–2018 revealed a series of structures that were re-organised and rebuilt over time, culminating in a stone-built winged corridor villa in the mid to late 4th century AD. Finds included a rare copper alloy figurative lamp, a lion mask, and a range of pottery, glass worked stone, and bone. Environmental remains indicate a mixed arable and pastoral agricultural economy that supported its inhabitants and may have produced a surplus.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 04 September 2023
Publisher: Cotswold Archaeology

Between 2016 and 2018, extensive excavations unearthed a remarkable series of structures that underwent extensive reorganization and reconstruction over an extended period. This remarkable journey culminated in the construction of a magnificent stone-built winged corridor villa during the mid to late 4th century AD. The architectural enhancements included the addition of wings to the existing buildings, which further expanded their grandeur. An inviting portico at the front opened out onto a spacious courtyard, creating a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces. Flanking the outer courtyard were a series of ancillary structures, one of which housed a sophisticated hypocaust system for heating and another that featured a compact bath suite. Among the remarkable discoveries were a rare copper alloy figurative lamp, believed to have foreign origins, a majestic lion mask, and a diverse collection of pottery, glass-worked stone, and bone artifacts. Furthermore, environmental remains provided valuable insights into the economic activities of the settlement. They revealed a mixed arable and pastoral agricultural economy that not only sustained its inhabitants but also potentially generated a surplus of resources. The inhabitants sourced wood for fuel and various other purposes from the surrounding hedges and copses, demonstrating their resourcefulness and adaptability in harnessing the natural resources of their surroundings.

Weight: 1352g
Dimension: 219 x 306 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781999822217