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The mosaic floor was first discovered within “Room 28” at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire, England in 2017, but tests to verify the age of the floor have just been completed, the Kingdom’s conservation charity said Thursday. Kingdom National Trust in a press release.
The date is significant because it was believed that cities and towns fell into decline after being abandoned after an economic crisis in the 4th century.
Martin Papworth, an archaeologist at the National Trust, said the 5th century marks the end of the Roman era in Britain and the beginning of the Middle Ages, when some historians believe that society in Western Europe has deteriorated as a result of Roman retreat. .
A Chedworth Roman Villa archaeologist explores what lies beneath parts of the villa, some of which have never been explored. Credit: Stephen Haywood / National Trust
The Middle Ages, according to the National Trust, was also a period from which few documents survive, with little archaeological evidence.
The National Trust researchers used radiocarbon dating, testing the level of carbon in the carbon and bones found in the area where the mosaic was found, and ceramic analysis to pin down the “unexpected” age of the mosaic at the village.
Chedworth Roman Villa is one of the largest known Roman villas in the country and one of the best preserved, according to the National Trust.
After the end of Roman rule in Britain, the army and civil service workers stopped charging, which in turn led to a “decline in output” among the craft and service industries, Papworth said in a statement.
The quality of the mosaic design possibly reflects this, as the National Trust said it was of “worse quality” than those created in the 4th century.
Archaeologists have discovered a mosaic that, according to them, has historical significance. Credit: National trust
However, its existence also indicates that society did not decline as rapidly as was initially thought, and that “sophisticated life” lasted longer, particularly in south-west England, where the mosaic was found.
“In general, it has been believed that the majority of the population turned to subsistence farming to support themselves and, after the break with Rome, the administrative system of Britannia broke down into a series of local fiefdoms,” Papworth added.
“What’s so exciting about the dating of this mosaic at Chedworth is that it is evidence of a more gradual decline. The creation of a new room and the laying of a new floor suggests wealth, and a mosaic industry that continues for 50 years. after what had been expected. “
‘Tremendously exciting’
The mosaic was discovered as part of a six-year program of archaeological research and excavations at the Chedworth Roman Villa.
Papworth said: “It is interesting to speculate why the owners of Chedworth Villa still lived in this style well into the 5th century. It seems that in the West Country, the Romanized way of life persisted for a time.
“Many large and richly decorated Roman villas have been found in the countryside around Cirencester, which is about eight miles from Chedworth.”
The mosaic indicates that the “Romanized” way of life continued in Britain long after the Romans left the country. Credit: Mike Calnan / National Trust
Stephen Cosh, an expert on Roman mosaics, said in a statement: “I am still recovering from the impact of this dating.”
“There are very late Roman mosaics in the area that archeology can only say must be later than a particular date, without being able to say how much later,” added Cosh.
“But none have ever been suspected of arriving this late. It will be important to investigate more sites in the region to see if we can demonstrate a similar redevelopment in other villas that continued to be occupied in the 5th century. But there is no question that this find at Chedworth is from enormous importance, it is tremendously exciting. “
