[ad_1]
Life at the beginning of the Dark Ages in Britain is generally considered a rather uncomfortable time, an era of trouble and strife with the departure of the Roman rulers that resulted in economic hardship and cultural stagnation.
But a surprising discovery at the Roman villa of Chedworth in the Cotswolds suggests that some people at least managed to maintain a rich and sophisticated lifestyle.
National Trust archaeologists have established that a mosaic in the Gloucestershire village was likely placed in the mid-5th century, years after those houses were thought to have been abandoned and ruined.
The mosaic, housed in what may have been a summer dining room, is not quite as splendid as those in the villa dating from Roman times, but it seems to show that the residents held to a very decent standard of living.
Martin Papworth, a National Trust archaeologist, said the find was very exciting. He said: “The fifth century is a time that marks the beginning of the sub-Roman period, often called the Dark Ages, a time from which few documents survive and archaeological evidence is scant.”
Four hundred years of Roman rule ended in Britain around 410 AD Papworth said: “In general, it has been believed that the majority of the population turned to subsistence farming and, after the break with Rome, the administrative system of Britannia broke into a series of local fiefdoms.
“What is 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 placement of a new floor suggests wealth and a mosaic industry that continues 50 years later than expected. “
The 5th century mosaic has an intricate design. Its outer edge is a series of circles filled alternately with flowers and knots. It is of poorer quality than those of the fourth century found in the town and others like it. There are several errors, suggesting that the skills of the craftsmen were eroding. However, it is an attractive apartment.
The identities of the people who lived in the village at this time are lost in the mists of time. “They could have been dignitaries, people with money, influence and friends in high positions,” Papworth said.
He suggested that it was also possible that the area was not so affected by the hostile incursions that were taking place in the north and east. “It is interesting to speculate why the owners of the 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. “
It was possible to date the mosaic thanks to traces of carbon found in a trench dug to build a wall to create the room in which the mosaic was found. Carbon dating strongly suggests that the wall was built between 424 and 544 AD. C. The mosaic was placed in the newly created room after the wall was built.
Stephen Cosh, who has written about Britain’s well-known Roman mosaics, said: “I am still recovering from the shock. 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 doubt that this find at Chedworth is of enormous importance, it is tremendously exciting. “
