The most exciting find of its kind in a century is a magnificent Roman mosaic uncovered in a farmer's field. It would have adorned an imposing eating and leisure hall within a big villa complex as the first-ever mosaic depicting scenes from Homer's Iliad. Under ploughed fields in Rutland, a shattered but spectacular Roman mosaic—the first-ever uncovered in the UK depicting images from Homer's Iliad—has been discovered. The mosaic representing the Greek hero Achilles would have cost a small fortune, and it would have pleased a wealthy owner who could brag about his mastery of ancient literature to his guests. It is thought to have been used to decorate a magnificent dining and entertainment area within a big villa complex and is considered the most significant find of its sort in a century. On the suggestion of Historic England, the government has now accorded the place official protection. The mosaic has been damaged by later building work and bears scorch marks from fires, which, together with human remains discovered in the rubble layer above it, suggests that the site lost its original luxurious character and was repurposed at a very late Roman or early medieval date. More research into the bones and other artifacts should reveal more about the villa's later history, as well as the much-debated later existence of the site when Roman wealth and power dwindled on the outskirts of the empire.
The mosaic, which measures 7m by 11m and is near to the surface, was discovered by Jim Irvine, the son of landowner Brian Naylor, who was out for a walk with his family when he noticed some broken crockery in a field of wheat during last year's harvest. "Later, while looking at satellite images, I noticed a very apparent crop mark, as if someone had scribbled with a piece of chalk on my computer screen." This was the 'oh wow' moment, as well as the start of the story." He contacted archaeologists at Leicestershire County Council after recognizing its potential significance. Historic England received urgent funding to bring in a team of excavators in August 2020, with additional work by students and staff from the University of Leicester's School of Archaeology and Ancient History beginning in September 2021.
The most intriguing mosaic find in the UK in a century, according to John Thomas, deputy director of University of Leicester Archaeological Services and project manager of the excavations, and enormously significant because the entire surrounding villa site looks to have survived. "It gives us new perspectives on people's opinions at the time, their connections to classical literature, and it also tells us a lot about the person who commissioned this piece," says the author "he declares "This is someone who knows the classics, who has the financial means to commission such a project, and it's the first depiction of these stories we've ever seen in Britain." The chamber was the focal point of a huge villa complex built in the late third or early fourth centuries AD. The majority of the site has not been excavated, but geophysical investigations have revealed a complex of buildings, including aisled barns, circular structures that could be grain silos, and a probable bath house.
More excavation is scheduled for next year, and the floor has been re-buried to protect it while work on the artifacts proceeds, including a study by David Neal, an internationally recognized expert on Roman mosaics. With the help of the Lottery Heritage Fund, the archaeologists plan to establish an off-site exhibit. The site has been designated as a scheduled monument to protect it against illicit metal detectors and other forms of disturbance. Ploughing has previously caused harm to the property, and Historic England is working with the landowners to restore the field to a more compassionate use.
Jean Dubreil