Roman Villa Unearthed

Date: 2003-11-08, Publication: The Journal

There\'s going to be quite a Carry On on the banks of the Tees this weekend.

The classic view of the Roman occupation in the North had been of a few lonely military outposts harried by woad-covered Ancient Britons, as depicted by Jim Dale in 60s film Carry On Cleo.

But a startling new find suggests the Roman North could have been closer to the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by Amanda Barrie as Cleo and Sid James as Mark Antony in the same film.

The excavation, by Durham University Archaeological Services, is revealing what is the most northerly surviving villa in the Roman Empire.

It had been thought that the Roman presence in the military zone of the North-East was largely restricted to Hadrian\'s Wall and associated forts and military settlements, while the locals kept to their own native lifestyle.

But the dig at Ingleby Barwick on the banks of the Tees at Stockton is building up a picture of a villa at the centre of a prosperous estate which was still functioning in the 4th Century.

It even had its own bath house with underfloor heating and was flanked by at least one substantial stone building.

\"It is an absolute classic example of its type and somebody is living the life of the Roman gentleperson,\" said Durham University project manager Richard Annis.

\"It has been thought that the North-East was a backwater area with people carrying on their Iron Age traditions, but this clearly disproves that.

\"You don\'t make this sort of investment in a Roman farm villa if the place is regarded as bandit country.

\"In this case Roman culture was thoroughly ingrained. It may well have been a native taking on the Roman lifestyle.

\"It is of great significance to find such an elaborate villa so far North.\"

The excavation is taking place in an area being developed for housing by Persimmon Homes, and the site will be preserved under a village green.

Robin Daniels, Tees county archaeologist, said: \"It could be the local aristocracy helping the Romans to police the area and putting their rewards into a substantial villa complex.

\"What is really significant is that so far North is regarded as a barbarian area which is not really adopting Roman styles.

\"But here there is clearly enough Roman influence to persuade someone to adopt Roman culture and activities like bathing.\"

The site will be open to the public today and tomorrow 10am-3pm. Take the Yarm turn-off from the A66 to Ingleby Barwick.

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