EDO7857 - Frampton Roman Villa; excavation interim 2020

Towards the southern end of the water meadow is the site of a Roman building which is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (1002683). Over the reported site of the villa stands an L-shaped, stony bank up to 1m high. Bournemouth University (BU) has been involved for some time in the completion and publication of work relating to significant Roman period sites in Dorset, including the Roman villas at Dewlish and Druce Farm and the Romano-British settlements of Winterborne Kingston. In researching the literature on Dorset villas it was noted that despite the stated importance of the Frampton mosaics there was a lack of accurate records as to its position or condition. A geophysical survey using magnetometry, resistivity and ground-penetrating radar confirmed its general position and suggested further ranges of buildings. Under licence from Historic England, BU established this project under the directorship of Dr. Miles Russell to investigate the state of preservation of the archaeology, ground truth the geophysical survey results, attempt to determine the nature and extent of the building and measure the changes in ground level since the Roman period. Three trenches were initially proposed, the first of which was excavated in late summer 2019. The intervention of coronavirus measures disrupted plans for 2020, nevertheless excavations of reduced scale were conducted on the two remaining trenches and a fourth that had been added at the suggestion of Historic England. The excavation determined that the flint bank provides adequate protection for the main wing provided that vegetation is kept under control, however mosaics are not complete as drawn. Preservation of the side wings is currently unknown. A sample of the anomalous geophysical survey values has been shown to represent buried archaeology, the nature of that archaeology remains to be ascertained over much of the area. The exact position of the main wing as per Lysons’ measured drawing has been determined and referenced to the National Grid; the partial West Wing has not yet been located. The existence of a building east of the main wing has been proven, its full extent is suggested by the geophysics but further excavation will be required to ascertain whether this is a single structure and to which phase it belongs. Evidence tends towards interpretation of the building as a domestic dwelling. The research objective to measure the changes in ground level since the Roman period remains outstanding. The construction of the water meadow is better understood but no undisturbed Roman ground surface has yet been encountered. Soils samples taken may assist in this respect.