Roman history to be revealed

10:10am Thursday 27th April 2006

SWINDONIANS are being invited to take part in an illustrated talk about Littlecote Roman Villa.

The director of The Association For Roman Archaeology, Bryn Walters, will explore the history and significance of one of Wiltshire's most famous Roman sites.

"The villa site at Littlecote is one of the most exciting and exceptional villas ever to have been unveiled in Britain," he said.

During his talk Mr Walters will trace the development of the site from the 2nd to the late 4th century AD, and compare it with other villa sites in Roman Britain.

Surviving remains at the site include the Orpheus mosaic, which has been at the centre of much academic debate over religious practices in late Roman Britain.

"Roman villa sites are usually farming units, but in the 4th Century the addition of the exotic Orpheus hall and alteration of agricultural buildings to residential status suggests that the villa was converted from a domestic site to one of a philosophical and religious nature," added Mr Walters, who was project director for the extensive excavations of the site in the 1980s.

The talk, Littlecote Roman Villa: Out Of The Underworld, is organised by the Friends of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

It starts at 7.30pm tomorrow and tickets are £4.50 or £3 for members of the Friends. For more information and to book a place call 01793 466556.

Remember When...