This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/man-accidentally-discovers-perfectly-preserved-roman-villa-in-his-backyard-a6987901.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Man accidentally discovers 'perfectly preserved' Roman villa in his backyard Man accidentally discovers 'perfectly preserved' Roman villa in his backyard
(about 4 hours later)
A man stumbled across a Roman villa in his back garden which is being hailed as the most significant discovery of its kind for a decade. A man stumbled across a Roman villa in his back garden which is being hailed as the most significant discovery of its kind for a decade. 
Luke Irwin, from Wiltshire, was laying an electricity cable in his barn when he uncovered a mosaic underground. Luke Irwin, from Wiltshire, was laying an electricity cable in his barn when he uncovered a mosaic underground. 
The rug designer, who was making the alterations so his children could play table tennis, took a photo and sent it off for more information.  The rug designer, who was making the alterations so his children could play table tennis, took a photo and sent it off for more information.  
Mr Irwin said: "I sent a photograph to the council and within 24 hours they were here with archaeologists to see what we'd found.”Mr Irwin said: "I sent a photograph to the council and within 24 hours they were here with archaeologists to see what we'd found.”
  
Experts from Historic England and Salisbury Museum carefully began excavating the site, and realised the mosaic formed part of the floor of a grand Roman building. Experts from Historic England and Salisbury Museum carefully began excavating the site, and realised the mosaic formed part of the floor of a grand Roman building. 
The find has been proclaimed by Historic England as “unparalleled in recent years”.The find has been proclaimed by Historic England as “unparalleled in recent years”.
After an eight day dig, archaeologists uncovered more of the ‘elaborate’ and ‘extraordinarily well preserved’ villa, thought to be one of the largest ever found in the country. After an eight day dig, archaeologists uncovered more of the ‘elaborate’ and ‘extraordinarily well preserved’ villa, thought to be one of the largest ever found in the country. 
Dating from between AD 175 and 220, the grand home is thought to have been three storeys high, similar to those found at Chedworth in Gloucestershire.Dating from between AD 175 and 220, the grand home is thought to have been three storeys high, similar to those found at Chedworth in Gloucestershire.
  
Not just an impressive structure, but the team discovered hundreds of discarded oyster shells which were artificially cultivated and carried live from the coast in barrels of salty water.Not just an impressive structure, but the team discovered hundreds of discarded oyster shells which were artificially cultivated and carried live from the coast in barrels of salty water.
The dig also unearthed "extremely high status pottery”, brooches, coins and the bones of wild animals which had been hunted, as well as a suckling pig. The dig also unearthed "extremely high status pottery”, brooches, coins and the bones of wild animals which had been hunted, as well as a suckling pig. 
All the evidence suggests a family of high importance and wealth lived at the villa, possibly a Roman emperor. All the evidence suggests a family of high importance and wealth lived at the villa, possibly a Roman emperor. 
 
Dr David Roberts, an archaeologist from Historic England, helped work on the excavation, said: "We've found a whole range of artefacts demonstrating just how luxurious a life that was led by the elite family that would have lived at the villa. Dr David Roberts, an archaeologist from Historic England, helped work on the excavation, said: "We've found a whole range of artefacts demonstrating just how luxurious a life that was led by the elite family that would have lived at the villa. 
 
"It's clearly not your run-of-the-mill domestic settlement.""It's clearly not your run-of-the-mill domestic settlement."
A perfectly preserved Roman well and the stone coffin of a Roman child, which went unnoticed and was being used as a flower bed, were also among the finds. A perfectly preserved Roman well and the stone coffin of a Roman child, which went unnoticed and was being used as a flower bed, were also among the finds. 
Dr Roberts added: "The site has not been touched since its collapse 1,400 years ago and so it's of extreme importance.Dr Roberts added: "The site has not been touched since its collapse 1,400 years ago and so it's of extreme importance.
  
"The large scale and complexity of the site present a unique opportunity to understand Roman and post-Roman Britain."The large scale and complexity of the site present a unique opportunity to understand Roman and post-Roman Britain.
"Without question, this is a hugely valuable site in terms of research, with incredible potential."Without question, this is a hugely valuable site in terms of research, with incredible potential.
“It's one of the best sites I have ever had the chance to work on."“It's one of the best sites I have ever had the chance to work on."
The site has now been protected to preserve it. The site has now been protected to preserve it. 
  
Mr Irwin said it was “unbelievable” to have stumbled across the rare find. Mr Irwin said it was “unbelievable” to have stumbled across the rare find. 
He said: "The thought of the footsteps we are following in. I have always been fascinated by history ever since I went to Pompeii as a child.He said: "The thought of the footsteps we are following in. I have always been fascinated by history ever since I went to Pompeii as a child.
"But to find it 20 yards from your own front door - and then the 20 billion to one shot that you design luxury rugs for the Roman aristocrats of today. It's mind blowing.""But to find it 20 yards from your own front door - and then the 20 billion to one shot that you design luxury rugs for the Roman aristocrats of today. It's mind blowing."
Further research will be continued when more funding becomes available.Further research will be continued when more funding becomes available.