HER Record
HER ID: 27779, Rockbourne Roman Villa, Rockbourne
HER Summary: Courtyard villa (43 AD-409 AD)
HER Category: Monument
HER Web Link: No link available
Investigation Activities
Type: Geophysical Survey
Description: Magnetometer and resistivity surveys undertaken by Avon Valley Archaeological Society, Hampshire Cultural Trust and NFNPA.
Date Range: 2019 - 2019
Type: Excavation
Description: Excavations undertaken from 1969 by A. T. Morley Hewitt.
Date Range: 1983 - 1984
Type: Monitoring
Description: Visited as part of the Roman Villa survey in 1993.
Date Range: 1993 - 1993
Type: Deposited
Description: During the excavations a quantity of Medieval pottery sherds were found at the villa. They probably relate to a phase of stone robbing or cultivation that took place at this time. A variety of Medieval coins were also found. These included coins of Philip II of France (1180-1223), Henry III (1216-1272), Edward I (1272-1307), Richard II (1307-1339), Henry VIII (1509-1547) and Elizabeth I (1558-1603). A bronze buckle, probably of Medieval date, with repousse decoration was found in debris in a room in the west range.
Date Range: 1066 - 1539
Type: Bibliographic Reference
Description: Colour brochure
Date Range: 2012 - 2012
Type: Geophysical Survey
Description: Magnetometer and resistivity surveys undertaken by Avon Valley Archaeological Society, Hampshire Cultural Trust and NFNPA.
Date Range: 2019 - 2019
Type: Excavation
Description: Excavations undertaken from 1969 by A. T. Morley Hewitt.
Date Range: 1983 - 1984
Type: Monitoring
Description: Visited as part of the Roman Villa survey in 1993.
Date Range: 1993 - 1993
Type: Deposited
Description: During the excavations a quantity of Medieval pottery sherds were found at the villa. They probably relate to a phase of stone robbing or cultivation that took place at this time. A variety of Medieval coins were also found. These included coins of Philip II of France (1180-1223), Henry III (1216-1272), Edward I (1272-1307), Richard II (1307-1339), Henry VIII (1509-1547) and Elizabeth I (1558-1603). A bronze buckle, probably of Medieval date, with repousse decoration was found in debris in a room in the west range.
Date Range: 1066 - 1539
Type: Bibliographic Reference
Description: Colour brochure
Date Range: 2012 - 2012
Historic Events
Type: Built
Classification: Oven
Form: No information available
Description: Three ovens were found within room 26 which has been interpreted as a kitchen. One was raised with a central flue lined with tiles and limestone slabs and rebuilt three times of sandstone and mortared flints. The other two were bowl shaped with one set on a square plinth.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Occupied
Classification: Villa
Form: Unknown
Description: A Roman courtyard villa covering an area of c95m by c95m was discovered. It consisted of at least 40 rooms and associated outbuildings set around 3 sides of a courtyard with a western entrance. It was first discovered in 1942 and was excavated by Morley- Hewitt 1956-1974 and by others in 1978 and 1982. Few records were kept so interpretation of the site is difficult. The first phase was a timber building which was replaced by a stone structure in late C1 AD. The full courtyard style villa developed from C2 to C4 and appears to have been finally abandoned in the C5 AD. Duplication of rooms in the two wings of the main residential area may suggest that at some stage they were separate residences (Allen, 2012).
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Created
Classification: Settlement
Form: No information available
Description: See other events for details.
Date Range: -800 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Blacksmiths Workshop
Form: Unknown
Description: Two probable smithies were found, one at the eastern end of the north range and the other towards the west of the southern range. The first consisted of much iron slag, an open hearth and a pit, none of which provided dating evidence. Two crucibles with copper deposits and a lump of tin slag also suggests bronze smelting.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Corn Drying Oven
Form: Unknown
Description: Two T-shaped corn driers, of C3 type, were discovered during the excavation of the south range of a set of buildings that probably had an agricultural function. One drier was inside one ofthe buildings, the other was positioned between two buildings.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Milestone
Form: Unknown
Description: Two portions of Roman milestone were found and appear to have been reused in the construction of the villa. One was used as a step and the other as a lintel for the furnace arch of the hypocaust in the north-west corner of the villa.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Deposited
Classification: Burial
Form: Unknown
Description: Four infant burials associated with the villa were excavated. Two were found outside the buildings of the west range and the fourth was found in the hypocaust under a room in the north rnage. No exact details are available (including information about infant burial number 3) but the remains are held in the site museum.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Deposited
Classification: Burial
Form: Unknown
Description: The remains of two male adults were excavated, one was in a grave on the north side of the north wing with the second being found in a room amongst debris and covered with roof tiles and other building material. The latter was discovered in Room 14, apparently having been killed when the roof collapsed on top of him. He stood at 5'11 and was estimated to be in his late 30's/early 40's. No exact date is known but he was considered to be post-Roman. The former was of a similar age but shorter in stature (roughly 5'7"). The lower jaw was noticeably deformed and a 'trepannation' had been performed at some point. The individual survived the operation as the hole in the skull demonstrates healing. However, as he was buried face down and weighed down with stones it is suggested that the community feared the operation was unsuccesful and that any evil influential surrounding his deformity was still present.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Excavated
Classification: Well
Form: Unknown
Description: Two wells were found during the excavation of the villa. The well to the west is probably C4 and cuts 5.5m into the chalk. The base of the well was lined with oak timbers up to a height of 0.9m above which was a circular lining of stone. The other well, to the east, was built entirely of sandstone blocks and was 2.3m deep and 0.9m wide, narrowing to 0.6m at the base.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Bath House
Form: Unknown
Description: Two bath suites were identified at the villa, one on the eastern side and one on the west. In the west baths most of the hypocausts were constructed with pilae (flat square tiles), but one room had a pair of imbreces (curved roof tiles) standing upright and cemented together. The east baths include a frigidarium with an octagonal plunge pool.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Created
Classification: Mosaic
Form: Unknown
Description: Mosaic or tesselated pavements were uncovered in ten seperate locations. In most cases they were fragmentary or damaged. All the surviving decipherable designs are geometric of varying degrees of complexity and are executed in red, white and brown tesserae. One, surviving almost intact is identified as a triclinium, the pattern indicating the position of three couches on which to recline and therefore a dining room.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Wall
Form: No information available
Description: The walls revealed generally did not exceed 2ft in width but those of hall 3 were 3.3ft thick. This may imply a taller building. The walls are generally not more than three courses high. The walls are built of flints limestone and some sandstone. The corners were carefully constructed mostly of blocks of local sandstone.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Created
Classification: Hearth
Form: No information available
Description: Hearths were found in several of the farm buildings. They were square and of tiles.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Hut Circle
Form: Unknown
Description: A hut circle was discovered beneath the early Roman stone building remains in the centre of the later courtyard. The hut circle was c.8m in diameter and had a chalk floor. The occupation of the hut may have spanned the conquest period.
Date Range: -800 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Kitchen
Form: No information available
Description: Room 26 was interpreted as a kitchen and contained three ovens.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Tessellated Floor
Form: No information available
Description: A plain red tessellated floor was laid in passage 18 and part of another was found in the niche in the wall of building 49.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Aisled Building
Form: No information available
Description: One of the first buildings on the south side of the complex was an aisled building. This building was sub-divided by a wall across the north aisle and another across the nave. Two different floor coverings may indicate different phases of construction.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Hypocaust
Form: No information available
Description: Rooms 3,7 and 14 within the north range were heated by hypocausts. The floor of hall 3 was supported on 66 pilae of mortared stones and flint. Hypocaust under room 7 built of lateral piers of mortared flint. Room 14 had a composite hypocaust with radial flues. In the baths most of the hypocausts were constructed with tile pilae. Furnaces were associated with the hypocauts in rooms 3 and 7.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Oven
Form: No information available
Description: Three ovens were found within room 26 which has been interpreted as a kitchen. One was raised with a central flue lined with tiles and limestone slabs and rebuilt three times of sandstone and mortared flints. The other two were bowl shaped with one set on a square plinth.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Occupied
Classification: Villa
Form: Unknown
Description: A Roman courtyard villa covering an area of c95m by c95m was discovered. It consisted of at least 40 rooms and associated outbuildings set around 3 sides of a courtyard with a western entrance. It was first discovered in 1942 and was excavated by Morley- Hewitt 1956-1974 and by others in 1978 and 1982. Few records were kept so interpretation of the site is difficult. The first phase was a timber building which was replaced by a stone structure in late C1 AD. The full courtyard style villa developed from C2 to C4 and appears to have been finally abandoned in the C5 AD. Duplication of rooms in the two wings of the main residential area may suggest that at some stage they were separate residences (Allen, 2012).
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Created
Classification: Settlement
Form: No information available
Description: See other events for details.
Date Range: -800 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Blacksmiths Workshop
Form: Unknown
Description: Two probable smithies were found, one at the eastern end of the north range and the other towards the west of the southern range. The first consisted of much iron slag, an open hearth and a pit, none of which provided dating evidence. Two crucibles with copper deposits and a lump of tin slag also suggests bronze smelting.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Corn Drying Oven
Form: Unknown
Description: Two T-shaped corn driers, of C3 type, were discovered during the excavation of the south range of a set of buildings that probably had an agricultural function. One drier was inside one ofthe buildings, the other was positioned between two buildings.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Milestone
Form: Unknown
Description: Two portions of Roman milestone were found and appear to have been reused in the construction of the villa. One was used as a step and the other as a lintel for the furnace arch of the hypocaust in the north-west corner of the villa.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Deposited
Classification: Burial
Form: Unknown
Description: Four infant burials associated with the villa were excavated. Two were found outside the buildings of the west range and the fourth was found in the hypocaust under a room in the north rnage. No exact details are available (including information about infant burial number 3) but the remains are held in the site museum.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Deposited
Classification: Burial
Form: Unknown
Description: The remains of two male adults were excavated, one was in a grave on the north side of the north wing with the second being found in a room amongst debris and covered with roof tiles and other building material. The latter was discovered in Room 14, apparently having been killed when the roof collapsed on top of him. He stood at 5'11 and was estimated to be in his late 30's/early 40's. No exact date is known but he was considered to be post-Roman. The former was of a similar age but shorter in stature (roughly 5'7"). The lower jaw was noticeably deformed and a 'trepannation' had been performed at some point. The individual survived the operation as the hole in the skull demonstrates healing. However, as he was buried face down and weighed down with stones it is suggested that the community feared the operation was unsuccesful and that any evil influential surrounding his deformity was still present.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Excavated
Classification: Well
Form: Unknown
Description: Two wells were found during the excavation of the villa. The well to the west is probably C4 and cuts 5.5m into the chalk. The base of the well was lined with oak timbers up to a height of 0.9m above which was a circular lining of stone. The other well, to the east, was built entirely of sandstone blocks and was 2.3m deep and 0.9m wide, narrowing to 0.6m at the base.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Bath House
Form: Unknown
Description: Two bath suites were identified at the villa, one on the eastern side and one on the west. In the west baths most of the hypocausts were constructed with pilae (flat square tiles), but one room had a pair of imbreces (curved roof tiles) standing upright and cemented together. The east baths include a frigidarium with an octagonal plunge pool.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Created
Classification: Mosaic
Form: Unknown
Description: Mosaic or tesselated pavements were uncovered in ten seperate locations. In most cases they were fragmentary or damaged. All the surviving decipherable designs are geometric of varying degrees of complexity and are executed in red, white and brown tesserae. One, surviving almost intact is identified as a triclinium, the pattern indicating the position of three couches on which to recline and therefore a dining room.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Wall
Form: No information available
Description: The walls revealed generally did not exceed 2ft in width but those of hall 3 were 3.3ft thick. This may imply a taller building. The walls are generally not more than three courses high. The walls are built of flints limestone and some sandstone. The corners were carefully constructed mostly of blocks of local sandstone.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Created
Classification: Hearth
Form: No information available
Description: Hearths were found in several of the farm buildings. They were square and of tiles.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Hut Circle
Form: Unknown
Description: A hut circle was discovered beneath the early Roman stone building remains in the centre of the later courtyard. The hut circle was c.8m in diameter and had a chalk floor. The occupation of the hut may have spanned the conquest period.
Date Range: -800 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Kitchen
Form: No information available
Description: Room 26 was interpreted as a kitchen and contained three ovens.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Tessellated Floor
Form: No information available
Description: A plain red tessellated floor was laid in passage 18 and part of another was found in the niche in the wall of building 49.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Aisled Building
Form: No information available
Description: One of the first buildings on the south side of the complex was an aisled building. This building was sub-divided by a wall across the north aisle and another across the nave. Two different floor coverings may indicate different phases of construction.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Hypocaust
Form: No information available
Description: Rooms 3,7 and 14 within the north range were heated by hypocausts. The floor of hall 3 was supported on 66 pilae of mortared stones and flint. Hypocaust under room 7 built of lateral piers of mortared flint. Room 14 had a composite hypocaust with radial flues. In the baths most of the hypocausts were constructed with tile pilae. Furnaces were associated with the hypocauts in rooms 3 and 7.
Date Range: 43 - 409
