Boxford Roman mosaic

Boxford Roman mosaic
two people on their knees, in a trench, brushing dirt from the mosaic
Volunteers in the process of excavating the mosaic, August 2017
Year 4th century AD
Medium Mosaic
Dimensions 6 m (20 ft)
Location Boxford, West Berkshire, England

Boxford Roman mosaic is a mosaic at Boxford, West Berkshire, England, rediscovered during an archaeological dig in August 2017.[1][2] It dates from the Roman period.[1][2] The 4th century (AD)[3] mosaic is over 6 metres (20 ft) long.[1] Its central panel is thought to show Bellerophon, at the court of either Iobates or Proteus, battling Chimera.[1][2]

Anthony Beeson, an expert on Roman mosaics, said it is "without question the most exciting mosaic discovery made in Britain in the last 50 years and must take a premier place amongst those Romano-British works of art that have come down to modern Britons."[2]

Discovery

The mosaic was uncovered during a community archaeology project, investigating three Roman sites near to the village of Boxford, which was led by the Boxford History Project, the Berkshire Archaeology Research Group, and Cotswold Archaeology, which began in 2011.[1][2] Earlier in 2017, a villa "of modest size" was unearthed at Boxford. The mosaic was found at the southern end of this building.[1] Only one half of the mosaic was uncovered.[1] It was subsequently reburied, to ensure its preservation.[1] It is planned to excavate it further at a future date.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Stunning mosaic found in Roman Villa near Boxford – Cotswold Archaeology". Cotswold Archaeology. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kennedy, Maev (2 September 2017). "Rare Roman mosaic found during Berkshire community project". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  3. ↑ Keating, Fiona (2 September 2017). "Archaeologists unearth rare Roman mosaic hailed as 'best seen in decades' in Berkshire". The Independent. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
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