NHER 5636 (Monument record) - Weeting Villa and Roman copper alloy vessel hoard

Weeting Roman villa is 1.5km from a large settlement and temple site (NHER 5587). Excavation in 1979 recovered a large quantity of flint, tile and pottery sherds, as well as noting a series of small pits, ditches and gullies dating to the 1st to 3rd centuries. A well and double ditched trackway dating to the 3rd century were also noted. The pits and ditches were overlaid by a 4th century rectangular building of flint with two corner projections. At a later date these were demolished and the building converted to a single rectangular building, most probably with an agricultural function rather than a villa in the traditional sense of the word. This building contained fragments of flue tile, opus signinum and marble wall-veneer in the pre-building deposits, which suggests a substantial and high-status building was located nearby prior to the 4th century. In 1975 a hoard of late Roman copper alloy vessels was recovered here. This included a large cauldron, bowls, vessels and a shallow dish. The cropmarks surrounding – and most likely contemporary with – the site of the Roman building are now recorded under NHER 62084, due to the complexity of the site and the issues of confidently identifying the Roman components.