University ’of Pennsylvania Library Circulation Department Please return this book as soon as you 1* "”d with it. In order to avoid a ” * 9:93 .3 52 ozaém Eaz zoEos. mz._._<_2um _,z._<s_o.m ‘,.R\ V \. \.:/x \ 3 (Emma tn the .. ,ROMAN VILLA- RECENTLY DISCOVERED AT MORTON, BETWEEN SANDOWN & BRADING, ISLE OF WIGHT. BY JOHN E. RRICE, F.S.A. AND F. G. HILTON ERIGE, F.S.A. F.G.S. ‘ FOURTEENTH EDITION. QED he obtainw at II): villa; ant! of BRIDDON BROTHERS, .137, .HIGH STREET, VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT. ' And z‘lze principal Bookseller; 2'7; l/ze Island. I 1890 ., ».., ..«' A , 1 ,‘ . , \3 .4 . [V , , DRYDEN PRESS :' _ .- J. DAVY AND Sons, 137, LONG ACRE, LONDON, w.c.{v- ~‘, 7/337 47(73/ THE ROMAN VILLA, NEAR BRADING, ISLE OF WIGHT. THE excavations at Morton, near Brading, have already revealed illustrations of the Roman occupation of the Isle of Wight surpassing in interest i, any yet previously recorded. In printing, therefore, the followingreport of our researches, we trust that \3 the description may prove useful to residents and L visitors who may have both inclination and oppor- fé tunity for the inspection of the discoveries made. \ N‘x, Of the condition of the island in Roman times but “3 little is actually known, that its annexation took T I place towards the middle of the first century is, how— 9 ever, well authenticated. Vespasian, at the time ,, when Claudius was engaged in the conquest of I Britain, was in command of the Second Legion in g Germany, of this he was legate, and with it came to Britain to assist in the enterprise. Suetonius records ' :3} how he engaged the enemy in thirty battles, reduced ‘3 two powerful tribes, captured twenty towns, and , subdued the Isle of Wight.ale Similar testimony is /,, [7}] * Sueton. de T. Fl. Vesp. cap iv. is Texan " 4 also rendered by Eutropiusfi“ It may be assumed, therefore, that it was the Second Legion which, as a military force, first occupied the island, but of this at present we have no evidence. This division of the Roman army was longer in Britain than any other; arriving with the distinguished general mentioned, it continued in the province until the close of the occupation, having at the compilation of the Notitz'a its head—quarters at Rutupiae (Richborough) in Kent. “ It is late in the third century that Vectis is again mentioned, and that only incidentally,Constantius had prepared to invade the province which Carausius had severed from the rule of Diocletian and Maximian. Allectus, the successor of Carausius, stationed a portion of the Romano—British fleet off the Isle of Wight to intercept the invaders under the praetorian prefect Asclepiodotus, but a dense fog so obscured the ships coming from Gaul that they passed unob- served by those placed in ambush and gained the coast of Britain in safety.”1L These are the only trust’- worthy references in classical literature connected with the island, but much has been written by various authors whose learning and experience, entitle their opinions to respect, to prove the identity between Vectis and the Ictis of Diodorus Siculusqf The Greek historian certainly speaks of an island lying off Britain as one where the natives were accustomed to “ Eutrop. lib. vii., cap. xix. ; also “Vespasian’s First Cam- paign in Britain,” by O. Warne, F.S.A., Archaeologia, vol. 41, + Eumenii Panegyricus Constantio Gees, cap. xv. 1. See Collectanea Antiqua, vol. vi., 128. I Diddorus Siculus Lib. v., 0. 21-22. 5 convey the tin extracted from the Cornish mines in waggons, at low tides, across to the mainland and thence to Gaul for shipment to other lands. The arguments for . this identification deserve careful study and attention, especially in connection with 7 present enquiries. They have been learnedly sét forth both by the Rev. E. Kell, F.S.A., of N ewport,* and by Dr. Whittaker, the historian, of Manchester. The connection of the island with Saxon rule may be brieflyreferred to. At the collapse of the Empire the military forces of Rome were withdrawn from its distant provinces, and together with many other prosperous settlements, Vectis was subdued by the Saxons. The chronicler Bede, under the year AD. 449, and some thirty years after the Roman govern- ' iment had ceased, speaks of the various German tribes who arrived in Britain, among them the J utes, whence came the “Kentish men ’,’ and the “Wightwarians,” the latter a tribe which, as he writes, “ now dwells in Wight”, Again in AD. 530, “ Cerdic and Cynric Conquered the island and slew many men at Wight- garas-byrg,” (now known as Carisbrooke). In 534 AD, it is recorded by the same writer 2—“ They gave the whole island of Wight to their two nephews, ,Stuf and Wightgar.” The reference to Carisbrooke indicates that at this period it was an important position in the island, the pioneer as it’ has been termed of Newport, and in its Roman buildings, not yet sufficiently explored, are the indications of its origin. Newport,_at the head 7 of the river, which‘marking a natural division in the * Journal Brit. Arch. Association, vol. 22, p. 351. 6 island with the two hundreds of East and West Medina defines the capital, suggests in the modern configuration of its streets, the familiar plan so universally adopted in the formation of a Roman town. Saxon interments, resembling many which have been found in Kent and other places, have been. met with in the Island, and go far to prove the cor-A rectness of the statement of the chronicler as to the» identity of the Wightwarians with the men of Kent. The local histories unfortunately contain but little- information as to the presence of Roman antiquities, indeed Sir Henry Englefield, writing in the year 1816,. remarks 2—“ Of the Romans there is not a vestige in the island, and it is singular that not even a coin should ever have been found, excepting five men- tioned by Mr. Warner, which were discovered in a field near Carisbrooke, and which seem to have been accidentally dropped there. When it is considered that they had very considerable establishments at Porchester and Bittern, near Southampton, and that the Isle of Wight must have been a most convenient station for an army, secure if its numbers were small and affording every advantage to the most consider- able body of forces, it is not a little extraordinary that. it should have been so totally neglected. It appears to have been equally free from the operations of war- in Saxon times, as not a single vestige of any camp or entrenchment is discoverable on it. Mr. Wyndham, whose accuracy of research is well known,visited every part of the island for the express purpose of investi~ gating the subject, and his research was fruitless.”* ‘9 “ The Isle of Wight,” Sir Henry Englefield, Bart, 1816, p. 90 7 Sir Richard Worsley, also in his “ History of the Isle of Wight,” writes to similar purpose. Some forty years, however, after the publication of Sir Henry ’ Englefi eld’s work, an important discovery was made by Mr. W. Spickernell at Carisbrooke, which found an able ‘ chronicler in the late Mr. George Hillier, who published an account of his own investigations.* A Roman villa was discovered in the grounds of the Vicarage, and this was announced as the first discovery of a building associated with the occupation of Vectis. The re- mains have not even yet been thoroughly explored, but what has been excavated is carefully protected and is of considerable interest. It comprises good examples of mosaic work, a bath with its hypocaust, wall paintings, roofing-tiles, and other objects, the portion uncovered is 118 feet long by about 49 feet wide, and encloses several chambers with a small semi-circular compartment which strongly resembles one of like character now found at Brading. The . coins were few in number, but they were of late date, comprising examples of Gallienus, Postumus and the Constantine family. In 1862, while excavating for the Cowes and N ewPort railWay, a stratum of earth was intersected which Contained a considerable quantity of broken urns and amphorae, together with wood ashes, and it s is stated calcined bones. These remains were found near to the town of N ewportrl' In 1867 Mr. Roach Smith reported the finding of i i * ,“ History and Antiquities of the Isle of Wight,” by George ‘Hillier ; “ Collectanea Antiqua,” C. Roach Smith, Vol. VI. + “Gent’s Mag.” Feb. 1862. 8 Roman remains at Combly upon the northern side of Arreton Downs, anduponthe farm Mr. John Lock, jun, discovered vestiges of Roman buildings. Roman urns of large dimensions have been found at Swanmore near Ryde, and are deposited in the museum of that town.* In 1864 an interesting discovery was made of Roman buildings in Gurnard Bay. It adjoined the ancient way known as Rue Street, a road which according to the Rev. Edmund Kell, F.S.A., proceeds in a direct line through the island from Gurnard Bay to N iton and Puckaster Cove. The site of the build— ing was near to where a fort known as Gurnard Castle had once stood, and was indeed in a state of defence two centuries since, but now owing to the ‘ encroachment of the sea has entirely disappeared. Some of the coins found were of a good period; examples were present of the reigns of Vespasian and others of the age of the Antonines. Indication of Roman buildings have been also met with at Bright— stone, Brixton, and Clatterford; and at Bonchurch; though now long since washed away, were traces of a Roman encampment. At Shanklin, coins - of Arcadius and Honorius have been found, and recently coins of Claudius and Vespasian were met with on land belonging to the Poet Laureate at Freshwater. The foregoing facts serve to illustrate the changes which must have taken place in the physical configu- ration of the land since the withdrawal of the Roman legions, and in few parts of the island will this be more apparent than in the vicinity of Brading. At M * “ Gent’s Mag.” Feb. 1862. 9 high water the Haven has all the appearance of a lake, it encloses an area of 840 acres which opens into the Solent between the headlands of Bembridge and St. Helens. At low water it is mostly an expanse of mud with a narrow channel, through which the Yar meanders to the sea. Many attempts have been made to reclaim this valuable tract, but without avail. It is said that in the course of an attempt to throw an embankment across the mouth (which the sea quickly washed away) a well cased with stone was found. It was near to the middle of the haven, demonstrating that its site had once been dry land and that the sea had overflowed it Within the historical period.ale Cap- tain Thorp of Yarbridge, who has throughout our work been an ever zealous colleague, is under the impres- sion that he has discovered an ancient ford in the direction of Yaverland and the shore line. We have recently come across important indications of a road or way the direction of which has yet to be ascertained. It may probably be found to have some connection With an interesting spot known as “ Centurion’s Copse,” a name handed down by tradition and strangely sug- gestive of a military occupation. Associated with this locality are remains said to belong to a mediaeva1 chapel, but which are probably to be connected with a. much earlier period. As an illustration of how easily a term may in time become corrupted, the dedication is Said to be to one St. Hurion, a name possibly new to the Romish calendar ! The site chosen for the erection of the buildings * Nelson’s Isle of Wight. 10 now in course of excavation is a remarkably fine one; centuries since it was in one holding, but at the present time these important remains are partly on the pro- perty of Lady Oglander of N unwell, and partly on the property of Mrs. Munns ; indeed the line of de- marcation runs in a direct line through three of the apartments excavated. The two fields at Morton are known respectively as “ Seven Acre Field ” on one side and “ Ten' Acre Field” upon the other, they together form an elevated site, which, looking towards the high road which separates them from the lowlands and marshes, appears as a gentle slope of cultivated land which would have at once commended itself to the attention of Roman architects. Their text books on such matters contain many important hints as to the selection of sites for building operations, and in this case there is every advantage to be desired. Looking seawards, there is to the left, Brading Down and the bold chalk range of hills terminating in the promontory of Culver Cliff, while to the right is the growing town of Sandown with the picturesque hills I and vales leading onwards to Shanklin and Ventnor. Skirting Brading Down and marking a boundary line to the field in which our excavations are situated, is afosse way, which as a bridle path has in turn been used by Celts, Romans and Saxons, and runs at the base of the hills by Arreton to Newport and Caris- brooke. The vast tract of land which separates this position from the sea is at high tides mostly covered by water, and in olden time it is probable that the site selected by the Roman colonists was, as it were, insulated from'Bembridge Down and the adjoining 11 heights, but in the indication of buildings dis- covered at Brading Haven and the encroachments of the sea upon certain portions of the coast, we see how much there is to be investigated in a geographical ‘ point of view ere any opinions can be confidently expressed. The present explorations originated in the finding on Mrs. Munn’s property such indications of Roman buildings as ofl‘ered encouragement for further inves- tigation. On this land, walls, roof tiles and traces of pavements were discovered by Captain Thorp, of Yarbridge, who devoted a considerable amount of energy and zeal to a complete examination of the ground. A description of the discoveries then made has been printed by the Rev. S. M. May- heW, F.S.A.,in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association,* and Mr. C. Roach Smith in his “ Collec- tanea Antiqua.” 1' It was subsequently suggested that in order thoroughly to explore and ascertain the full extent and nature of the buildings, excavations should be started on the adjoining land belonging to Lady Oglander. Upon the introduction of our esteemed colleague, Mr. Roach Smith, himself a native of the Island, and his relative, F. Roach, Esq., of Arreton, .Lady Oglander most kindly accorded the permission required. The co-operation was also obtained of Mr. Micah Cooper, the former tenant, and arrangements made,the work commencing in August, 1880, and with , brief interruptions continuing to the present time. ,M *5 Vol. xxxvi + Vol. vii, p.237. 12 In the illustration which forms our frontispiece we have been enabled to include the more important of the apartments cleared, the position of the hedge is marked, but that portion which at present runs across the building has been purposely excluded by the artist. The chambers traced since this sketch was taken, and not yet all examined, are laid down upon the accompanying ground plan reduced from an accurate drawing prepared to scale by Mr. W. R. J Cornewall Jones of Ryde. Their positions indicate how much has yet to be excavated ere any notion of the extent or purpose of the building can be properly obtained; we have, therefore, abstained from theoriz- ing as to the objects of the various chambers, or from alloting any names to them, as it would be pre- mature until further explorations have revealed the whole building. A number has been aifixed to each chamber corresponding with the plan. The rooms numbered from 1 to 5, together with parts of 6, 7 and 8 are upon the property of Mrs. Munns, and are divided from that of Lady Oglander by the hedge, these were excavated by Captain Th01p, of Yal- bridge in April last, and we are indebted to him for the list of antiquities then discovered. CHAMBER N o. 1 measures 18 feet by 10% feet; the outside walls are 27 inches in width, the dividing walls, between rooms Nos. 2 and 4 are 1% feet wide—- five flue tiles are m situ in this chamber at 'various intervals : these tiles are 16 inches high and 4 inches broad. The remains of an arch exists in the north- . western corner, composed of flat tiles, the entrance being 21'eet wide. There is no pavement in this apart- . 13' ment. In this chamber fragments of black pottery, known‘as New Forest ware; many broken flue tiles; pieces of charcoal in considerable quantity; some well faced stones, some in form of key stones; iron spikes, and small nails, roofing slabs made of Bembridge stone, with nails ”in situ ; portions of stags’ horns, and bones of various kinds. CHAMBER N 0. 2.—This is a square chamber paved with grey marl tesserae, measuring 20 feet, the walls are about 2 feet in thickness. There was evidence of a large fire in the centre of this chamber. Much char- coal was found ; a coin which is unidentifiable ; small portions of Samian, black and Caistor pottery ; bones, including portions of human skull; iron nails both large and small, and some faced stones. CHAMBER N0. 3.—This measures 15% feet by 177} feet; the centre containing the mosaic measures 9% feet by 10% feet, and the margin of this pave- ment is chequered. This was the first pavement discovered; and the subject of it is very remarkable. On the western side are two gladiators, one has a trident and the other a net ; they are represented as engaging in combat. The panel to correspond with this one is destroyed. On the north side is a fox under a tree, probably a grape vine; in the central portion of the picture is a house with a cupola, the remainder is destroyed. The most perfect and at the same time most curious panel is on the south side, it consists of a man with the head and legs of a » cock, standing in front of a small house, with a ladder 0r flight of steps leading up to it, on the right hand 'of Which are two 'griffins, represented as moving in 14 opposite directions. The central subject is the head. of a Bacchante with a staff, enclosed within a circle; on the north-western side is a like figure, with a staff over his right shoulder, having a small cross on the top of it: it is highly probable that similar figures occupied the other three angles, now wholly des- troyed. In this chamber, fragments of wall plaster with fresco, iron nails, bits of black, Samian and other pottery, broken flue tiles, and two coins were found. CHAMBER N0. 4.—From the centre of the arch on the south to the pier on the north side, this chamber measures 11 feet 8 inches by 10% feet in width. There was no pavement in this room. At the entrance to the arch a quantity of plaster and mortar was discovered, similar to that in which tesserae are laid. In the north corner of this room is a pier of masonry, 2 feet square and 2% feet high; upon the top was a base of apillar. There was in all probability a cor— responding pier and pillar to the north of this, but owing to the hedge it cannot at present be ascertained. This was plainly an entrance as there are indications of a step. ~ The follOwing relics were found: bones, ‘ stags’ horns, a quantity of pieces of pottery, flue tiles, an iron hinge, iron lamp hook, iron spike, a large number of roofing slabs and vitrified stones. CHAMBER N o. 5.—This is a long narrow chamber, measuring 7% feet in width by 20 feet in length, ' with an entrance out of No. 6. The walls are about 18 inches in thickness, and the pavement is com- posed of 1 inch grey marl tesserae. There were many fragments of wall plaster with fresco dug out of this 15 chamber; Caistor and other pottery, iron hook, small pieces of glass, faced stones, a knife blade, bones of animals, and a few fragments of human bones, together with horn cores of bos longifrons. CHAMBER N0. 6.—This is a colonnade or corridor extending from the margin of No. 3 up to the step leading into the Medusa room, N 0. 12, the whole length is 50 feet. It is probable that this corridor also included the room No. 3, just described, as we are not at all certain whether a satisfactory wall existed between them, in which case the whole length would be 65% feet. From the margin of the ornamental pavement of No. 3 to the commencement of the guilloche border is 21 feet; then occurs an inte- resting subject representing Orpheus seated, wearing a red Phrygian cap and playing a lyre, by which he is attracting several animals, 2'. e. a monkey with a red cap, a coote, a fox and a peacock. Orpheus pavements have been discovered at Woodchester, Withington, Horkstow, VVinterton, Littlecote-on-Humber, and Saltford, between Bath and Bristol, but none have yet been noted in which a monkey forms portion of the design. Such a representation of Orpheus accords with the period to which the occupation of the . Villa may be assigned. The subject was one especially favoured by the early Christians, indeed it has been clearly shown, that in advocating the new faith its promoters frequently selected the divinities of antiquity as creations familiar to the popular mind, and in the figure of Orpheus a convenient type existed for the illustration of the Good Shepherd and other symbols more especially associated with Christianity. 16 Upon the ceiling of a chamber in the catacombs of St. Domitilla at Rome is a painting, the central design of which is Orpheus playing on the lyre and sur- rounded by animals, his dress, position, and the > general treatment of the subject forcibly reminds us of the pavement at Morton—occupying the central compartment, he is surrounded by figures such as the raising of Lazarus, Daniel and the Lions, Moses striking the Rock, and other scriptural subjects— but the adaptation of such a group to the purposes of Christian Art are more strikingly illustrated by a representation to be seen in the Catacombs of Callixtus. Upon a painting there, is a figure of Orpheus of the usual conventional type, but in place of the miscellaneous group of animals he is seen between two sheep only, typifying thereby to the Christian mind the Good Shepherd of the Gospels. In the relations which exist between early Christian and Pagan Art the Cavaliere de Rossi*‘6 discerns a strong connection between figures of Orpheus and the adoption of Christianity, he says that Eusebius and St. Augustine speak of him much in the same way as they speak of the Sibyls, as though he had made some sort of prophetic manifestation of the true God among the Gentiles. It is remarkable that when Alexander Severus placed pictures of Abraham and of Christ in his Lararium, he placed that of Orpheus also. His history enjoyed great popularity in the M * Consult De Rossi, Bulletin 1863, pp. 33 and 34, also Mr. Fortnum’s papers in the Journal of the Archaeological Institute vol. 26. p. 137, vol. 28, p. 266, vol. 29, p. 305, vol. 33, p. 111. CompareVilla at Frampton, Dorchcster, Lysons’ fol. 1808. 17 early ages of the Church, both in the East and West his figure is often repeated on Medals of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius which were struck at Alexandria. ‘ In an interesting collection of Finger Rings, Mr. C. D. E. Fortnum, F.S.A. has brought together some valuable gems of the early Christian period. On many the subjects clearly point to the new religion, on others the intention is not so marked. Among the latter however, we note a representation of Orpheus charming the animals with his music. It appears upon a bronze ring which is preserved in the Dressel collection at Rome. Mr. Fortnum assigns it to the latter half of the fourth century. The figure is seated fully draped and holding a lyre in the left hand which he is playing with the right. An ill- defined covering, probably the Phrygian cap, protects the head, in the field just above the left shoulder is a six pointed star, upon the right appeals a monkey, the position being treated, much 1n the same way as on the mosaic at Morton. Theie is also a lion, and a bull or goat, and in the left a reptile or fish, and a hare 0r rabbit. While the general arrangement is \such as we meet with on Pagan gems, the presence of the star Suggests a Christian significance. This mosaic is 8% feet wide by 9% feet broad, from the margin of the guilloche pattern northwards to the Medusa chamber is 21 feet, which together with the 21 feet of pavement on the south side, is arranged in squares of red and white tesserae, ‘ placed alternately. Beneath this pavement, in about the centre on the north side, 1s a stone subway 6 feet 8 B 18 inches long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep; which when discovered had a roof 'or covering of tiles and slabs of stone; this probably led to the furnace for heating the hypocaust beneath the chambers No. 9 and N o. 12, both of which may have suspended floors. In the debris of this subway a third brass coin of Constans A.D. 333-350 was found. Most of the wall on the eastern side of this chamber is wanting, and on the western side the wall is composed of rubble and irregular sized stones; above the floor is a string course of stone slabs, instead of the well known bonding tiles. A considerable quantity of Samian, Upchurch, Durobrivian and other pottery, bronze articles, glass, bones of pig and 0X, portions of human skull, jaw- bone and fibula, flint flakes, stone balls, marbles, objects in bone and in iron, likewise coins of Gallienus and Salonina A.D. 253-268, Victorinus A.D. 265-267, and Tetricus A.D.. 267 -272 were discovered. The wall paintings found lying face downwards on the pavements were of great beauty, one found by Captain Thorp having a bird of the parrot family represented, measuring 10% inches in length. CHAMBER N0. 7 .—This is a square room measuring ‘20 feet, the entrance to it being out of N o. 4. The pavement consists of tesserae of red and white arranged in squares, which are much injured by fire, especially at the eastern end. This chamber is intersected by the hedge. Very few antiquities of interest were found. . CHAMBER N0. 8.—-This measures 20 feet by 21 feet, it contains no tesserae, nor concrete floor. It was difficult to obtain accurate measurements, owing to the mcm<<>< _Z Oz>gwmw <_. 1111] mnoioz oz 0.0. ......................... mmodoz oz >.w. o m 5 no 1.. Flu—5‘. . 2:92 Omdzm Em_<_>_zm. Rubble 4% Pafiz'zg ' ‘ ‘ ' 'fi-fifl-is'suaszrjh‘rmszp £ '15. V‘ l‘ 21 o 5 NO Ga #6 mo NW0 HOD km & xx. Rhimxxm‘ mains. 19 hedge. Near the latter is a semicircular structure 4 feet 6 inches in' diameter, formed of Bembridge stone, and lined with salmon coloured mortar—indications of fire existed here, in such quantities as to lead us to . imagine that this place was used as a furnace for smelting or baking. On the west is a wall nearly 3 feet in thickness, which may be an outer wall, as most of the others do not exceed 27 inches. This chamber communicates with N o. 9. CHAMBER N o. 9.—This measures 19 feet 9 inches square, the border consists of 1 inch red and white tesserae ; very perfectly preserved. In the centre is a square, measuring 5 feet 10 inches, enclosing a diamond-shaped figure, with a central medallion of parti-coloured tesserae. There were two squared blocks of stone on the north side of this room, pro- bably used for supporting the wooden uprights for carrying the roof. Upon two sides the wall is thrown down, but upon the others remains of wall painting still exist. Several pieces of roof slabs, some with ‘ the iron nails still remaining, fragments of worked stone, animal bones, nails, and an iron object much like a strigil, were met with in clearing out this chamber. CHAMBER N0. 10.—The dimensions are 11 feet 6 inches by 10 feet 5 inches; the walls are 1 foot 9 inches in thickness. It has a raised bench or seat on ‘ the west side, 6 inches high by 1 foot wide, covered over with red plaster, and on the north side is another similar ledge, 2 feet 6 inches wide. There are a con- siderable number of flat red tiles upon the floor, measuring 14% inches by 11% inches, agreeing with 20 dimensions given by Pliny and Vitruvius. This room was originally wholly paved with red tiles—there were neither tesserae nor plaster upon the floor. Several pieces of pottery, roofing tiles, and stones covered with a green vitreous glaze, indicating that either the fusion of glass objects had so covered them, or that it was slag from a glass furnace. CHAMBER No. 11.—Is 15 feet by 5 feet, the walls are from 18 inches to 21 inches in thickness, and the floor is paved with rough concrete ; no objects worth mentioning were discovered here. CHAMBER N o. 12.—This is the largest room yet excavated, it measures 39 feet 6 inches from east to west by 19 feet in the western portion, 15% feet in the eastern portion, and 11 feet between the piers in the centre. These projections which divide the room are shown in the annexed diagram, they are in solid masonry and beautifully squared and cut, with but little, if any, mortar joints, they probably supported columns connected with the roof, or were thus con— structed in order to enable an aulcmom or curtain or some other means of separation to be fixed, so as to divide one portion of the chamber from the other. They were met with in the Roman Villa, near to Newton St. Loe, when constructing the line of the Great Western Railway between Bath and Bristol. Such a mode of separation has been also ob- served among discoveries on the Continent as well as in some of the villas existing at Pompeii“ The pavements in this room are of great beauty, that at the west end is almost square, its dimen- sions being 13 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 10 inches. PLATE 111. I AS [Morton neaxr Branding. \ \ ‘ > ' ' ,,mm)W~»»>WWg I ss~§\\\\\\\\\“\§\‘\\\§ ’I””"/””’I/””/’ «’s y'x’ '*‘rail/zIII/”IIIII/rrrill/(IlllrrroI’g \ .\..\\\.§.\\\\ \\\\\ \\\\\\&\\\\\S\s \s \\ \\ \\ § ~ s§s~v~ v\\\\\\ \ \\" I’I'O. tr zé'eauvl‘.) ““ ‘5 '3’32.‘}~\‘A‘ yvol .... \’ ~- -’~ ' ¢<{&\\\\\m\\\\\\’{<®3&é’a -;\\\\‘V\V\\\\\\\'\\\\\\\\\\\sxxx‘\s\\ ‘ . § 5 §\\\\\\.‘. , \Q §§§tsl§ ’3 ' , :\4>";\‘\\s “\““‘o ’III'IIO O O! O O 9 ““““ \‘V ooooolo ‘01 Iv (s\\\\\\\\, \\\\\\\\ \{\\\\\\\\\s\\\) MOSAIC PAVEM ENT-RO MAN VILLA. ,&:‘I:‘o§‘o‘o{{‘o 0‘:¢O’IO<I‘I///IJIOI¢I’ ; Chamber N 0. 12. 21 divided into. compartments all edged with the guilloche in half inch tesserae of white, black and . red. The design may be described as in three divisions with a central circular medallion also bordered by the guilloche, but the subject is destroyed, sufficient however remains to show that it contained a similar little house to that already mentioned in ‘ Chamber 3. Upon either side are oblong panels containing mythological subjects, and at the corners are quadrants enclosed in compartments, these being occupied, with the exception of one which has perished, by busts symbolical of the four Seasons, that which is missing, at the north—west angle, being probably Spring. Summer appears at the south-west corner; and is tolerably well preserved, the head is that of a female Whose hair is decked with poppies, typical perhaps of Juno. It is enclosed by the guilloche border. In the angle of this compartment there is a figure of a peacock with flowing tail represented peck- ing at flowers in a vase; the plumage of the bird is beautifully worked in many colours. There are also traces of a bird in the injured composition supposed to contain “Spring.” It is therefore probable that there Were figures of birds in each compartment suitable to the season of the year. “Autumn” is also a female figure treated in similar manner to the former, her hair is decorated with ears of corn in illustration of Ceres. She wears a torque around the » neck, and is suggestive of a similar subject discovered . in, the mosaic pavement from Carthage now in the British Museumf‘e and in our own country, at Ciren- * Carthage and her Remains, by Dr. N. Davis, p. 190. 22 cester the Roman Corinium. The last is “ Winter,” the most perfect of all; this is also a female figure closely wrapped, her garment being fastened acrossthe left shoulder by a brooch or fibula, attached to the dress is a cucullus or hood, which could be drawn up over the- head in rough weather, similar to that worn by ecclesiastics at the present day. In the left-hand she carries a leafless bough, from which is suspended a dead bird. An example treated in like fashion was found at the Roman villa at Bignor, Sussex, and also at Corinium. Illustrations of the Seasons have- likewise been noted in mosaic pavements at Thruxton, Frampton, and Littlecote Park, near Ramsbury, Wilts. The subject was much favored by the- Ancients, apart from its treatment in mosaic, it has been adopted in Architecture, upon coins, and for the- ornamentation of objects in domestic use, upon the- Arch of Severus at Rome, the seasons are indicated by genii bearing baskets of flowers and fruit. On the Imperial coins inscribed TEMPORVM FELICITAS they appear as four boys occupied in dancing. Upon a silver situla or bucket discovered near Tourdan, in the South of France, and now in the British Museum, the design is the prinCipal one employed. Spring is represented by the nude figure of a female, young, beautiful, crowned with flowers and seated on a panther. She bears a basket of flowers and is sur- rounded by Cupids; Summer is seated on a bull reposing on the ground, she holds a sheaf of corn and is accompanied by a Cupid carrying a sickle; Autumn is a female crowned with grapes and seated on a panther; she is preceded by a Cupid bearing a basket 23 of fruit, and followed by another who is holding the panther’s tail; Winter is personified by an aged " female seated on a boar, among the Cupids which follow is one muffled and carrying dead game. Upon another portion of this vessel is a com- bination still fuither suggestive of our mosaic, viz., a group of sea monsters with heads of lions, horses, &c. ridden by cupids and other figures. The centre” of the pavement is much injured, but the central design was evidently contained in a circular medallion bordered with the guilloche pattern. Around this were four oblong Opanels placed between the angles containing the figures of the Seasons. These probably represented omythological subjects, because in the one which is preserved appears figures of Perseus and Andromeda; the former is seated, and in his right hand holds aloft the Gorgon’s head, and in the left the weapon with which the head was severed; the latter figure is nude, and is likewise seated, apparently upon a rock, the repre- sentation of which has been well worked in dark brown and other coloured tesserae—at their feet are 7 apparent indications of the monster associated with the myth. This panel was, as were doubtless all the others, bordered by the guilloche pattern. Be- tween the stone piers already named and dividing the two pavements of the apartment is a subject of considerable interest: in the centre is a square panel - Containing a male figure wearing a black beard, ‘ seated 1n what appears to be a chair; he 1s semi-nude, there being but little drapery except at the lower portion of the figure. At the left side there stands a. 24 pillar, surmounted by what some observers take to be a gnomon or sun-dial, but which we ourselves believe to be an illustration of the twelve houses; the number of the compartments correspond with the signs of the Zodiac. Beneath the pillar is a sphere or globe which appears to be supported on three legs, the tesserae are so arranged as to define the four quarters of the earth, to this the figure is pointing with a wand as though casting a horoscope; at his right hand side is a cup or vase, in which is an object which some consider to be a pen, but this we have not yet identified with certainty. This illustration of an astronomer in the exercise of his profession is one of the most interesting of the novelties yet re- vealed, the figure is probably intended for Hipparchus, a celebrated student of antiquity—he it is said, was the first to prosecute the science in a regular and systematic manner, his observations were made between the Years 160 and 125 3.0., his catalogue “of the fixed stars has been preserved by Ptolemy, and one work, the only one extant, is his commentary on Aratus, according to Pliny he could never be suffi— ciently commended ; he had proved the relation of the stars to men, he attempted to express such relation by appropriate names, and devised instruments by which he might mark the places and the magnitudes of each particular star. The nature of these instruments has never been ascertained, but there is nothing improbable in the notion that those shown in our mosaic are those which are asso- ciated with his discoveries. On each side of this panel is a geometrical pattern, composed of a 25 . centre with a circle from which radiates four divisions enclosed Within a larger circle, this is again placed. in a diamond or lozenge-shaped figure, the Whole being contained in a parallelogram, in the angles of which are figures of triangles ; the border, as in other cases consists of the guilloche pattern. These designs are similar to those figured by Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith in his description of the pavements at Aldborough, the Roman'station of Isurium. The eastern division of this chamber contains the largest and most important of the mosaics yet discovered, in the centre is a large medallion containing the head of Medusa, one of the Gorgon sisters,* such as are represented both at Bignor and Bramdean ; its position is slightly orientated. ‘ Springing from this centre are four com- partments arranged crosswise, as shown in the accom- panying illustration ; each of these is bordered by the guilloche pattern. At the angles, north and south, . east and west, are triangular compartments illustrating figures of b‘ucolics blowing the buccma or neatherd’s horn; on their heads is the petasus of Mercury. Over the left shoulder is a pall'éum or other form of cloak. The designs which make up the four panels referred to are of considerable interest, each containing two figures, a male and female. The subjects appear to \ be of a pastoral character, as evidenced both by the * According to heathen mythology there were three, Stheino, Euryale and Medusa. Of these the latter alone was mortal, her looks of hair were transformed into serpents by Athena. As an emblem in ancient art the head of Medusa is, as a rule, significantly Pagan. ‘ It often symbolises Death, and is typical of all that is hopeless and lost 26 costume and the objects borne by each figure. Ex- planation of all is, however, at present deferred, as light may be thrown upon their meaning by further investigations. A selection is, however, made for the purpose of illustration. The annexed woodcut repre- sents a group in the south-west compartment of the u: l' ' "fl: . mfg-'51:.” “EF'I'u'uunn-am ":lmflml 553-55“ fillii'tiii‘i m a" £255ng II. 4””: , ‘-I::I%mzll:fln' . WI" : "I" 3”- ; '4 p a . Funa- v A 3 “ E h n i u dum‘"" ' , , ,' §§m . 4...; 1; II I‘m“ nu 5:! lulu-5 I;'-uurlli-ntlllu:)i“§fi3 ; :4 -n”m Illnnulamn‘m I l A, I a .=. ..g 535%....“ lower portion of the pavement, admirably worked in small tesserae of varied colours. There is a female figure partially draped after the manner of the Saltatrix or dancing girl of Greece and Italy, the musical instru- ment upon which she is playing with the right hand, is suggestive of some of the Pompeian paintings which illustrate the Tympanistm’a or female player of the 27, Tympanum or tambourine, her companion is a male figure of more than ordinary interest, on account of the peculiarities presented by the costume worn——he wears a Phrygian cap, a skirted tunic with small cloak or pallium fastened on the right shoulder, and what is very unusual with such figures he appears with braccw or trousers, these are loose and plainly distinct above the ankle, and calceus or the boot or shoe beneath. The peculiarity of this dress leads to the opinion that it may be that in fashion at the time the mosaic was laid down, because the form given to the brdccoe is different to that usually met with in the costume attributed to the “barbarians” or provincial nations in Roman sculpture. The Pandean pipe, a musical instrument formed from stalks of reed or cane, which is held by the figure in the right hand, and the presence of the shepherd’s crook denote the pastoral meaning of the group. A second panel comprises a design, the meaning of i which is at once intelligible, a female figure, tall and closely draped is seen bearing in one hand a staff, and in the other ears of corn, which she is presenting to a man, who though perfectly nude holds by the left- hand the bum or bums, viz., the hinder part of the ancient plough. The subject is clearly that of Ceres . offering the fruits of the earth to Triptolemus, who according to the stories of mythology was the inventor of the plough and agriculture. In the Georgics of the ever to be remembered Virgil we read how Ceres- first‘ taught humanity to plough the land* with iron, “ Prime Ceres ferro mortales vertere termm instituit.” * Georgics, lib. 1, 147. .28 and again, how the sower was both to plough and sow naked, “ Nudus am, sere modus” writes the poet, a passage which from the words in another place “leviter vestiti” may be rendered as “lightly clad,” a condition requisite in an uncertain climate, but in the pictorial representation before us we note even more than a literal translation. The whole of this beautiful chamber is bordered with inch red tesserae, that portion in the western division containing a fret pattern laid in White, terminating at the head of the chamber in a figure of a Swastika or Vedic cross. The presence of this symbol upon Roman monuments has been noted before upon remains discovered in this country. The eastern end of the apartment is occupied by a spirited group of Tritons. Comparatively few objects were found While clearing the débris, they were some frag- ments of pottery and many pieces of worked stone. A Spindle whorl of hard wood, two inches in diameter, was picked up on the floor. A large quantity of plaster from walls or ceiling was lying face down- wards on the pavement, some of the colours upon it being particularly bright but with no indications of any special design. There were also plaster roundels for inlaying in the wall, quantities of iron nails for affixing the roofing slabs, and some large spikes con- nected with the wooden framework were also seen. , At the south—eastern corner of the room, at the end of the Medusa pavement, is an earthenware drain pipe fixed into the wall a little above the level of the floor. So modern an appearance is presented by this 29 object that many have doubted its antiquity. Such a channel or gutter, however, finds illustration in the V Roman building found some years since at Bucklers- bury, London,* placed in the wall, possibly for drainage purposes, and formed of two semi-circular tiles about 9 inches long, known as “ Imbrex Supinus.” These tiles when placed one above 1 the other might form a pipe or could sepa- rately be used, as seen in the accompanying woodcut, for connecting the flanged tiles selected for roofing purposes. The imbrices, as here shown, were generally a trifle smaller at one end, so that in lapping _ the one over the other a continuous ridge would be formed down the face of the roof. From the quantities of such tiles of both descrip- tions which have been observed throughout the diggings, we may conclude that portions of the buildings excavated were roofed in such a manner, while others were covered in by the slabs of native stone to which reference has been 1* “VRoman Tessellated Pavements found in Bucklersbury,” , by John E. Price, 1870, p. 30. 30 already made. Such were collected from the Bem- bridge beds and formed into elongated hexagons with holes at the end, through which iron nails were passed for‘fixing to the wooden framework. These slabs were placed so as to overlap each other, and thus formed a roof in lozenges or diamonds: many examples with the nails which fixed them may b5 seen preserved at the excavations. The walls of this apartment retain their original elevation, they average from 3 to 4 feet high and are 2 feet thick. It would seem from a comparison of dimensions taken that none of the walls were constructed to a greater height than about 4 feet; in this respect agreeing with the plan adopted in the majority of Roman villas yet found in Britain; such buildings were usually but one storey high, no indications of staircases or supports for superincumbent floors being yet recorded; but the party walls served as foundations for a fabric of lighter character. A structure resembling the “for- macean ” walls described by Pliny* as being moulded rather than built, indeed a simple enclosure of earth and rubble within a wooden framework. “ Such walls,” he writes, “ would last for centuries, be proof against rain, wind and fire, and be superior in solidity to any structure of cement or similar material.” He also mentions the width of 18 inches as sufficient for the support of a one storeyed building. This, as already noted, is the width‘of many of the walls now found at Morton. CHAMBER No. 13.—This is a semi-circular structure, ‘— * N. H. xxxv., c. 48, PLATE 1V. 1!! v 1t M, HYPOCAUST—‘ROMAN VILLA. M ortrm near Bradi'ng. Chamber No. 15. 31 Q composed of rough stones, and measures 7 feet 9 inches in length by 3 feet 10 inches in breadth, it is 2 feet deep, paved with large red tiles, similar to those found on the floor of No. 10. On the eastern side this wall projects fully 18 inches, it is coated on the inside with salmon tinted mortar and on the east side of the com—‘ partment a wall has been inserted, which is a continua- tion of the main wall of the building, built of rougher masonry indicating a later date. This has been con- sidered ‘by many a bath; at Carisbrooke a similar structure was found of almost the same dimensions, communicating with a hypocaust, but that had an aperture for carrying off the waste water. We are rather inclined to think it may have been an alcove opening into a garden, for the reception of a large statue'and perhaps fountain. CHAMBER N0. ILL—This was a small chamber of 15 feet by 10 feet 2 inches with concrete floor; low ‘4 walls, and’ in certain parts the plaster still stands on them, showing a dull blue colour; it is splashed with red and black in imitation of. marbling, as was fully illustrated by Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith in his book on Isurium, the modern Aldborough, Yorkshire. There , were sOme very large and thick pieces of wall plaster, ornamented with green flowers and other colours depicted upon them, but they could only be extri‘oated \in small fragments. Beyond roof tiles, pieCes of coarse pottery, iron nails, bits of glass, &c., nothing else was met with in this chamber. ‘ , _CHAMBER N 0. 15.—This is a room warmed by a. hypocaust and of unusual interest. The cham- ber measures 15 . feet 2 ir ches north and south, 32 10 feet 7 inches east and west. It contains fifty-four pillars of tiles arranged upon a floor of rough cobble stones; a large tile is placed upon the floor to carry the others, which are 8 inches square and 1 inch thick, with mortar joints 1 inch in thick- ness. These pillars are 2 feet 6 inches in height, and consist of about 13 tiles each. On the east side of the wall are two flue tiles in situ 16 inches in length joined together, thus making a fine of 32 inches lead- ing to the upper portion of the room; and another on the north side. On the west side and in the southern corner is a neatly turned arch of large flat tiles with wide mortar joints ; at the mouth of this arch a large stone of massive masonry was found placed across it. This arch represents the prwfurm'um or furnace on the outer side of the wall of the chamber, which we partially excavated in order to find the entrance to the ‘ arch ; it had a similar large stone across the opening as already mentioned as occurring on the inside". This has now been cleared and the hearth between the stones exposed. At themouth of the furnace are two projecting piers formed of tiles, but in other respects resembling _ the method of construction adopted in the castrum at J ublains,in France.* The hypocaust is invariably asso-_ ciated with Roman buildings in this country, warmth was a necessity, and especially in the variable climate of Britain 3 the temperature was accordingly raised by means of hot air directed up the walls through ' tubular flues. Quantities of flue tiles have been found _ at Morton, many of them ornamented in quaint but * “Collectanea Antiqua,” C. Roach Smith, vol. iii. 33 ingenious patterns, the scorings to be seen upon them were often simply to increase the adherence of the mortar with which they were coated, but so fanciful sometimes are the patterns and devices, that it would seem so much labour would hardly have been ex- ' pended unless under certain forms of construction, such perpendicular flues were to be sometimes visible. The pavement in this chamber appears to have been all de- stroyed, it was probably a plain concrete floor; for if of tesselated work we should have met With the broken débris, but nothing save the ordinary mortar- ' like composition was discovered above the “ tile pillars;” the presence of these is however sufficient to prove that the pavement of this room was an example of the “ Suspensura,” or suspended floor. In the south of England these were generally formed of ~ brick and tile, but in the military stations of the north greater strength was required and such floors were constructed with massive slabs and flagstones resting on square pillars of brick or stone. At Netherby, some ten miles from Carlisle, an apartment was dis- covered which singularly enough had the same number of pillars as that now uncovered, but they were con- structed not of tile but of solid stone. One of the most interesting examples of the “Sixspensura” which have been found in Britain is that which was unearthed some years since at Ciren- cesterfi'e It presents some peculiarities, but well exhibits the general arrangement of a hypocaust * See Celt, Roman and Saxon, by the late Thos. Wright, F. S. A. ., page 165. i D 34 beneath a tessellated floor. One of the supports is a stone pillar, another stands upon a stone base; between the last row of pillars and the side wall is a row of upright flue tiles, and in the wall itself are two apertures, intended no doubt to convey the hot air into the upper part of the building. In the accompanying woodcut the entrance to the furnace may be at once identified; it may well compare with ' that in the chamber, which as warmed by the hypo- caust we have recently discovered. CHAMBER N o. 16.—This room is 1'7 feet 3 inches by 10 feet 7 inches in width, the walls were covered with plaster, coloured red, patches of which still re- main in places, the floor is paved with concrete. On ‘ the south east side is an opening leading into room No. 18, between which rooms evidently two doors, or perhaps swing doors, hung, as the hinges, door plates, ,fl" .‘ . ,A 35 studs, key and handles have been found in the debris mixed up with black earth containing a large quantity of burnt wood. It is interesting to note that at the time this house was destroyed'by fire one door was open and the other shut, as is proved by the position in which the hinges were found. In this room a quantity of roofing slabs, many with nails still fixed in them, pottery of various descriptions, iron spikes, nails and other iron objects, worked stones, and a third brass of Gallienus, A.D. 253-268, in fair condition. CHAMBER N0. 17.——-—This chamber is 19 feet 5 inches from east to west by 10 feet 3 inches north and south. The floor is composed of concrete, and the walls are covered with plaster, coloured with fresco of dark blue colour, splashed with red and black; there was a step on the south side of this room leading into N o. 18. This room was very rich in finds of antiqui- ties, including Samian bowls and other specimens of pottery, iron objects, bronze, Kimmeridge shale trays, Similar in form to papier maché; much fine glass of various colours, and a quantity of window glass, which is one of the most interesting features of the whole collection; it is. of several colours, and some pieces are, from % to a 9; of an inch in thickness. Window glass is of great rarity in Roman buildings, it has even been doubted whether the Romans had windows in their houses at all, but from excavations in Pompeii it has been ascertained that they had, and that they were placed very high in the walls just beneath the ' caves of the roof. 'A window frame containing good plate glass was found in a tepidarium of the Public Baths at Pompeii; fragments of supposed window glass 36 have also been found at Uriconium, in London, at Hartlip in Kent, Colchester in Essex, and other places. It was interesting to find specimens of pillar moulding upon some of the glass frag- ments, as until a few years ago that art was unknown and a patent was obtained by a glass manu- facturer for the purpose of producing it. The art of glass making is of course of great antiquity, it was known to the ancient Egyptians 3,500 years ago, as . glass blowers are depicted upon the walls of Beni Hassan, and glass was generally used for domestic vessels by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans; but it ‘ is a matter of doubt whether it was originally invented by the Egyptians or Phoenicians. The Romans exercised the art to perfection, and in many of the fragments before us we have illustrations of the knowledge they possessed of the methods still in use. It might be cast or cut, or as we are told by Pliny* blown into various forms, turned in a lathe or engraved like silver, Sidon he says, was famous for glass making, and celebrated for its manufacture of mirrors. Possibly the Romans made glass in Britain, and the sands of Alum Bay and Whitecliff Bay would be suitable for the purpose. At the collapse of the Empire the art like many others gradually declined, and though examples are frequently met with among the graves of the Franks and Saxons who occupied this country in the fifth and seventh centuries, we miss much of the taste and beauty which prevailed in earlier times. The glass * Pliny, Nat. His, Book xxxvi., c. 66. “as“. , ., a.‘ ,, 37 cups of the Saxons were however well made, they Were fluted and decorated with bosses, but usually pointed at the end, so that they could not stand upright, but would have to be held by the hand until emptied. They were largely imported from the Rhine, the manufacture having well nigh died out in Britain. The chronicler Bede writing of the year AD. 674, goes so far as to say that the art was unknown, and that it was the. Abbot Benedict bringing over artificers from France to glaze the windows of the church of Were- mouth, who first taught the English the art of glass making; Coins of Severus Alexander and Decius were dis- covered in this chamber. CHAMBERNO. 18.——This chamber measures 21 feet ‘6 in. by 18 feet 6 in., the floor is of concrete with a red fillet round the margin. The plaster on the wall exhibits in patches the remains of colouring of a dull ' blue ground, splashed with red in imitation of marb- ‘ ling. ' Nothing of interest was discovered here. CHAMBER N0. 19.—The dimensions of this room are 9 feet by 10 feet, the walls have been exposed, but nothing of importance has been found. CHAMBER N 0. 20.——This chamber is 19 feet 8 long by 9 feet in breadth, there was no pavement, and beyond a few roofing slabs and pieces of pottery, ‘ little was discovered. CHAMBER N0. 21.—This chamber is likewise on the . northern side, and measures 21 feet 3 inches by 9 feet in breadth, it opens on the south side into No. 23 ; ' amongst antiquities found, were fragments of pottery, roofing slabs, pieces of iron and nails, also animal bones. 38 CHAMBER N o. 22.-—This is a large chamber situated in the centre of the northern wing, measuring from the east end of room No. 18, up to a cross wall. 54 feet by 21 feet 10 inches in width. Arranged along the wall on the north side are 5 piers ;. commencing from the west end are two blocks of squared stone, placed at certain distances apart, followed by three piers of rough concrete blocks, which appear to have formed the foundation for columns, which probably supported the roof of this. extensive chamber or court. On the south side are: five similar blocks, formed in the same manner as the last three, exactly opposite to those on the north side. The first three from the western end are placed along. the footing of the wall, the other two are detached, there being no traces of wall in between. The remains- of the wall on the east side are about 18 inches in width. The pavement was of rough concrete. In this chamber pottery of various kinds, nails, oyster shells and pieces of bronze were met with. ‘ CHAMBER No. 23.—-—This chamber is situate due east of No. 22, it measures 39 feet 8 inches in length, by 32 feet in width. The footing of the wall on the north side is 3 feet in thickness, and the wall itself was 2 feet thick. At a distance of 8 feet, and 8 feet. 4 inches from the north wall southwards, are three: large square blocks of concrete let into the sandstone- floor, as was the case of those in the previously des— cribed chamber. These blocks, probably intended for supporting columns, are arranged at intervals of 6 feet; to 6 feet 10 inches apart. At the eastern end of the north wall is another square block, and at 12 feet‘ 39 . from the wall southwards is another, and at 7 feet 9 inches further south another, these two latter are simply the basements of the blocks consisting of lumps of upper greensand placed in an irregular square. At the south angle of the wall of the well- house N 0.‘ 28, is the fourth block; up the south side of this chamber are four more blocks, arranged at certain intervals corresponding in position to those on the “opposite side. The entrance to No. 23 appears to have existed between the central blocks on the east end, and to have been approached by an outer chamber, or vestibule, if we may so describe it, as at distances from 13 feet '7 inches to 14 feet are three larger blocks of stones placed edge—ways—the fact of these existing in that position suggests the possibility of their being likewise constructed to support columns for carrying the roof, and as no wall has been met with at the east end, we are led to suppose that the entrance must have been there. No pavements have been met with in any of the rooms of this northern wing, they appear to have been wholly destroyed, in fact there are very few indications , of masonry in these last two rooms; what now exist are sirriply the footings of the old walls. ‘- Very few relics were found in this chamber, beyond fragments of Samian ware, black pottery, some nails and tiles. I CHAMBER No. 24.—This chamber measures 28 feet ' 4 inches east and west, by 10 feet 9 inches north and - south. The footing of the external wall is 3 feet in Width. There were no remains of pavement, and only a few fragments of pottery and some roofing slabs were discovered in the excavation. 4O CHAMBER No. 25.—This chamber is 'situated east of No. 24, and measures 15 feet 10 inches in length, by 10 feet 9 inches in breadth. Nothing but fragments of tiles and pottery were found. CHAMBER N0. 26.——This chamber measured from the wall of No. 25 up to the hollow basin west of the well-house 33 feet 4 inches in length, it may have been part of an external corridor, as no wall is found to the south of it. In line with the north wall of N o. 25, three massive blocks of concrete occur, let into the sandstone floor as before described. CHAMBER No. 27.—This is a hollow basin, which measured from No. 26 up to the entrance to the well- house is 14 feet in length; this basin for which at present no use can be assigned, is hollowed out of the greensand rock. It may have enclosed the furnace connected with the hypocaust, indications of which have been more recently disclosed. On the east is the entrance to No. 28, composed of two piers of good masonry, with a string course of tiles. A considerable quantity of black earth filled with debris of black pottery, nails, stones, portions of roofing slabs, bones, charcoal, etc. were found, all bearing evident signs of fire. CHAMBER No. 28.—This is a chamber of singular structure, it is situated upon the south eastern side of this wing of buildings. Taking an inside measure- ment from west to east of the wall which forms the , southern boundary of chamber No. 23, is found to be 15 feet 8 inches. This chamber has an entrance at the west side, and contains two semi-circular apses. These semi-circles are of unequal dimensions—that 41 on the west being‘9 feet 10 inches from north to south, and that on the east 9 feet 3 inches. There is evidence ~ of this chamber having been warmed by the hypocaust, for there are remains of tile pillars yet existing, which _ illustrate the presence of the suspensura or suspended floor. The wall of this chamber is of good solid masony, and in the western portion of it, two short pieces of wall run from the main wall on the west side, butdo not extend quite across to the opposite side. At a distance of 6 feet 5 inches from the west side, and 4 feet 9 inches from the east, is a well, 4 feet 3 inches in diameter. It was completely filled up with earth and debris, the steining, if there ever had been any, had given way, the well was cut through the upper greensand, and the sides were firm and hard. We found it necessary to stein the upper 5 . feet with bricks, to prevent the top soil falling into the well, While excavations were going on. During the clearing of the well, a great number Lof fed tiles of various sizes, large and small worked stones, pottery of various kinds, nails, shells of oyster, cockle, limpet and snail, bones of domestic animals, and the skeleton of a man were exhumed. At the bottom, as at present ascertained, ’13. e. 78 feet, three wooden stakes were taken out. CHAMBER No. 29.—This chamber is situated to the \ east of the well—house N o. 28, and is detached. It has only three sides, the wall on the north side is .6 feet 5 inches, the south wall is 7 feet 3 inches, and thevwidth 4 feet 2 inches; the thickness of the walls ‘ vary from 1 feet 7 inches to 2 feet, and the chamber is open towards the east, where is situated the southern 42 block of rubble stones, probably the foundation for a column. CHAMBER N o. 30.—This is a structure situated at the north east end, the tops of the walls are level with the floor and footing of those adjoining. It is therefore a subway, of much the same general appearance as that already described in Chamber No.6. It is formed of solid masonry of well finished, square blocks of stone, and the entrance is narrower than it is where it opens out into a broad channel east and west. The length of the wall from north to south is 11 feet 11 inches; width between the walls, on the north 3 feet 2 inches, on the south 2 feet '7 inches; the height of the wall on the east side is 2 feet 7 inches, and on the west side is 2 feet 2 inches; the wall stands upon the upper greensand. The width of the top of the east wall is 1 foot 10 inches. It is com- posed of solid masonry, with a string course of flat tiles 1 foot 11 inches from the top, and much of the masonry is jointed with salmon coloured mortar. This part leads into a narrow passage at the north end, which passage is 1 foot 4 inches broad and is much longer at the top than the bottom, the sides gradually widen as though by steps—the bottom length is 6 feet 6 inches, whereas the top length is 8 feet 8 inches. Along the north wall are the remains of six string courses of red tiles—the height of this portion of the structure corresponds in great measure with the walls already described, i. e., 2 feet 6 inches and 2 feet 2 inches respectively, east and west. At the south end, that is outside the entrance to this subway, two large flat slabs of stone were placed WW” FLT-mm .» .m . A, 43 at either side of the end of the wall in a slanting position, the stone on the west side which now remains, measures 2 feet 9 inches by 2 feet 6 inches; the Opposite stone~ fell to pieces, at the back and in fact all around the entrance to this subway, the debris ‘was composed of blackened earth and pieces of wood charcoal, pottery and oyster shells. Between the south wall of the northern block of buildings and the open space, supposed to be a garden, is a roadway; this is formed of rough rubble stones, large Hints and pieces of upper greensand. It extends from the wall at the west, N o. 14, and continues beyond the limits of the well house. It is not of uniform width, but varies as follows: by chamber N o. 14 the width is 11 feet 3 inches, at No. 24 it is 14 feet 6 inches, at No. 25 it is 14 feet 10 inches, and beyond it is} 16 feet. Upon this roadway a ‘denarius of Elagabalus, A.D. 218—222 was found. This roadway measures from the front of N o. 13 to the eastern extremity 156 feet, and it has further been traced southwards from N o. 13 up to the sub- way of No. 6. ' Chamber No.31 measures 23 feet 9 inches north and south, and 18 feet 2 inches east and west. The walls are‘composed of blocks of limestone, tolerably solid, \ with squared blocks at the angles. In connection with the excavation of this chamber a bronze armlet, a fibula, and additional coins are said. to have been found. Since the acquisition of the property formerly in: the possession of the late Mrs. Munns, excavations 44 have been extensively carried on, resulting in the discovery of a long wing of buildings on the south side, corresponding with the wing already described upon the north. The positions of the respective chambers in this wing are now noted on the plan, and we are thereby enabled to indicate at a glance what apparently was the original design of the structure generally. The chamber last described, viz., No. 31, appears to have formed no part of this, it is isolated and complete in itself, there being no Connecting wall between it and the main building; its walls, formed of unworked water-worn blocks of stone, doubtless selected for the purpose from the shore, are a striking and interesting feature. CHAMBER 32 measures 42 feet east and west by 26 feet, the footings only of its walls remain. They were, however, evidently of greater width or thick— ness than those in the opposite wing, and their foundations appear to have gone to a greater depth. They are of rough construction, being composed of ill-shapen blocks of shelly limestone, chalk boulders, flints, &c., and put together with an inferior mortar. No indications of pavement, even of the coarsest kind, have been observed; if any have ever existed, which is very doubtful, all traces of them have long since perished. CHAMBER 33 is 14 feet 6 inches east and west by 9 feet 4 inches north and south, the footings of the , walls alone remain. CHAMBER 34 is 14 feet 9 inches by 14 feet 2 inches; the depth of the wall on the north side from its present level is 2 feet 7 inches. It is com- 45 . posed of large stones, flints, and chalk rubble. The work in both. these chambers is consolidated in a more substantial form and with more attempt at order than is the masonry in Chamber 32. The width of the wall on the north side is 2 feet 6 inches and 2 feet 8 inches. The wall between Nos. 33 and 34 is 2 feet wide, that between Nos. 34 and 35 is 3 feet in thickness. CHAMBER 35, taken on the west, eastwards is 92 feet in length to the foundations of the columns, which are four in number, and, as will be observed, are noted on the plan. The width is 26 feet upon the north side. At the east end the wall appears to run northward. It will be observed on comparison that there is but little resemblance between this spacious enclosure and No. 23 on the opposite side. Its greater length in proportion to the Width, with apparently no dividing wall or other indications of enclosed chambers, render both use and purpose matter for speculation only. It may have been an ambulatory, gallery, or simply adapted to storage purposes. The basements of the pillars which once supported the roof are nearly equidistant, as are the four by which the boundary of this chamber is marked at its east end. The wall which, as men- tioned, appears to be continued in a northerly direc- tion is of interest as indicating the character of the enclosure as surrounded by the respective wings. a At this point there is a great drop in the level of . the land, and Whatever connection there may have originally been~between this and the chamber next to be referred to has been lost for ever. With the 46 exception of two blocks of groups of stones which suggest the continuance of the whole length of wall, until, as shown by the dotted line, it becomes lost altogether in the sloping field. This line marks the ' course of wall, footings, &c., which have been ob— served in the course of our investigations. They are sufficient to show the direction taken by this range of buildings towards both road and shore; but, al— though many trials in the adjacent fields have been made, no connecting links have as yet been met with, and the result so far is unsatisfactory. CHAMBER 36 marks the south—east end of this new wing. It forms one of the most interesting features of the entire building, for it encloses a group of singular structures, the object of which is not yet revealed. They are, however, of a much later date than the building which surrounds them, and afford a most important illustration of the prolonged occu- pation of the place. This enclosure measures from the outside edge of the wall on the west side to the outer extremity on the east 36 feet 7 inches; the outside measurement north and south is 24 feet; the inside measurement east and west is 27% feet; the inside , on the north and south varies in thickness, as does likewise the wall. The length of the eastern wall is 25 feet 6 inches. During the excavations a Samian bowl, nearly perfect, was found on the outside of the wall on the north side, ornamented by alternate panels of vine leaves and hippocampi, this is figured in our full description; * a considerable quantity of * See “Description of Roman Remains at Morton, near Brading, Isle of Wight,” plate 11, fig. 17. - g i. if f‘ :2; iv 5; F g . E E? , .f g}? .. All: 47 black pottery, nails, iron objects, oyster, cockle, limpet and other shells, which had been used ,3 as food, and several roofing tiles, some measuring 14 inches by 10%. Upon clearing out the debris within the walls _ Quantities of mortar and wall plaster, much of which was coloured red, blue, green, yellow and white, and large numbers of roofing tiles, were met with. On the northand east of this chamber the depth from the top of the walls did not exceed’2 feet; at the western end it was deeper, being about 4 feet. The walls are composed of rounded flints, and at the time of discovery thickly coated over with soot, as was likewise the floor. This inner chamber is square, being 11ft. 7 every way. On the east side is a ' narrow passage, paved with red tiles, which was doubtless the praefurnium. There are indications of the wall being covered with a thick red plaster. On the south side are two horizontal fiues running at right angles, formed of stones and tiles. There is no doubt that this chamber was heated by a hypocaust. In the centre of the chamber is an oval structure, ‘7 feet 2 inches in length by 4 feet wide in the ' broadest part, built upon the debris of the chamber. Nearly facing itat a higher level is another similar structure only smaller, being 4 feet 4 inches in length by 2 feet in width ; at this level are the bases of two stone pillars, placed at equal distances on ; : either side of the last described oval structure. "It appears that. we here have evidence of two periods of occupation, the first the remains of the Roman building, probably a bath, and the second 48 these ovens or kilns, erected at a subsequent period, composed of Roman materials, upon the debris of the old building, which may even be of Saxon age. Adjoining this chamber at the south-west end is a solid square of masonry, 13 feet 9 inches by 10 feet 10 inches, containing a bath or cistern, lined with red plaster and paved with flat slabs of stone. This bath is 5 feet 10 inches in length by 3 feet 7 inches in breadth, and 1 foot 8 inches in depth ; a fillet runs round the bottom with a drain at the east end to carry off the water; to the north-east is a deep hollow, leading to a praefurnium, with an arch in connection with the hypocaust, ‘ neaeh which is a well made drain, which conducts the drainage from the buildings on the west to the outside of the bath buildings on the east. A quantity of pottery of various kinds, iron, bronze and other objects, were here met with, including a large oval-shaped stone, 1 foot high and 2 feet 6 inches in circumference, bear— ing what appears to be the marks I M X I upon it. There are also the remains of other of these singular structures—possibly ovens. They are united—oval in form—and bearng some slight resemblance to certain of the kilns which have from time to time been discovered in this country. Although there have been slight indications of walls running east and west of these remains, and relics of various kinds, pointing to the existence, long ago, of further build; ings within the area enclosed by our excavations, it ' .would seem that, failing some accidental discovery, we have for the present reached the limit of our work. Neither labour or expense has been spared in 49 making trial excavations in those of the adjoining fields Where permission has been given, but with _ little success.‘ That the settlement extended to the sea, and thereby points to Brading and its haven I g as a great centre for Anglo-Roman commerce in con— nection With the island is beyond question, and the site yet to be discovered which marks the last resting- place of the thousands who for successive generations were associated with a district so important must be also one which will abound in interest. It is like- -wise to be hoped that a stimulus to research will be associated with local interest, and that with further investigationsim.‘ igjoining districts, fresh light may be thrown on the present discoveries. There is doubtless much yet to be done, and one day an accidental find will reward and encourage the local explorer; for ourselves, we venture to hope that the remains now preserved, may long be cherished and protected, and that as years roll on they may ‘ continue to prove both useful and instructive alike to the student and casual visitor. It is a matter for congratulation that so much interest has been mani— fested by the public in a work which has already taken four years to develop, and that since the ‘ management has been definitely organised, no less than 70,000 visitors have inspected the remains, and \- during that time no less than nine editions of this little book have been dispersed. It has been added to and corrected as occasion required, and a tenth edition is now called for. This of itself indicates a 'far' more general interest in such discoveries than would have been noted some fifty years ago. The E 50 establishment of local antiquarian societies, field clubs and kindred institutions have done much to foster the growing taste among the many for all that appertains to our national history ; few countries are richer in memorials of the past than is our own, and in few, until recently, has there been manifested greater apathy or indifference concerning them. In days past there have been grander and more im- portant illustrations of the presence of the Roman colonists than are to be found in the buildings before us, but from various causes they have been lost, injured or destroyed; much remains, there is good work yet to be done, and it is to be hoped that with the many agencies now at hand the preservation of everything of importance will be ensured. Of the numerous public buildings, villas and other struc- tures to be associated with the Romans that have from time to time been discovered, little but record remains; seldom, if ever, has there, been any organised movement to save and preserve. In the present case this has been attempted, and we may trust that what :is now known as the Roman Villa near Brading will not only long prove attractive to the thousands who annually visit the island, but indirectly contribute in no small degree to the little knowledge we have hitherto possessed of its history as associated with the Roman occupation of Britain. 51 APPENDIX. In the description of Chambers 4, 7 and 8, the , hedge spoken of is now removed. On page 24 referring to Hipparchus, we Wish to note that Mr. Roach Smith, F.S.A., is of opinion that the figure represents Pythagoras. Page 11, line 27, for “present” read “then.” 52 MUSEUM CATALOGUE. POTTERY. A considerable quantity of broken Sam/Lon, Upchurch, I Dnrobm'm'an and New Forest pottery, amongst which fragments were found to almost complete :— 1. Samian bowl, 3% in. deep, 6% in. diameter at top, egg and tassel border, medallions of Hip- pocampus. Samian flat bowl, 3% in. deep, 10 in. diameter at top, plain with flat sides. Samian shallow bowl, 4m. deep, 11in. diameter at top, plain with curved sides. Black New Forest ware jug, 5% in. high, narrow neck with lip and handle, 4 in. diameter in middle, 2 White enamel streaks on 4 sides. . Black New Forest ware vase, with bent-in sides, diameter of neck 2% in., height 4% in. Black New Forest ware vase, 3% in. high, 2 in. diameter of neck. This is the only unbroken piece found. Ring from handle of vase, red pottery. Part of a strainer, in red pottery. IRON. . Tripod, 6%; in. high, 5% in. diameter 0 ring. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Boat-hook, 13 in. long. Sockets of staves. Strigil, with ring to suspend from waist. Blade of knife. Blade of short knife or cutter. 53 15. Pair of hinges, showing door to have been closed ’ 16. 17. , 18. 19. :20. '21. ‘22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. \29. i 30. 31. 32. ‘33. when villa was burnt. Pair of hinges, showing door to have been half open Pair of hook hinges for gate. 'Snaffle-bit for horse. Shoe, of horse. Lock, the different parts rusted together. Binding clasp or corner for chest. Chisel. Gimblet. Large number of spikes, nails, &c., showing various desc1iptions and different forms of construction, length from 13 1n to 2 1n. BRONZE. Lock plate in high relief, 8% in. by 8% in., with circular bosses over nail holes. Key, handle of cast bronze, shank of iron, 5% in. long. Key, handle 3 in. long of bronze, iron shank destroyed. Handle of door or chest, ends turned up to pass through rings. Hinge. Bowl of spoon (Ligula), with bent—in shank to rest on edge of cup. Ligula, ornamented stem, 4415 1n. long, one end spoon, the other broadened for the application of stibium to the eyelids. Fibula or brocch, in one piece, with pin bent for spring, as in modern safety pin. Fibula, the pin (iron) corroded away, bronze por- tions ‘very perfect. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. Volsella, pair of tweezers, 2 in. long, rounded 54 centre to hang on ring. Ring. Bangle (armilla) of twisted wire. Bangle of plain plate. Ring, ornamental, probably earring. Pendant or locket, like modern vinaigrette. Twisted Wire handle of casket. Boss of buckle, with cross bar. Fastener of door or shutter in bronze, with iron shaft.- Window glass of various colours. Two bases of urns or vases, in blue glass. Blown glass, with examples of pillar moulding. Neck and portiOn of the handle of a vase. Various fragments of glass. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS. Bone hair pin. Bone ring. Bone boss for inlaying in leather. Bone boss of diamond form. Bone ferule. GLASS. Spindle whorl of wood. Spindle whorl in pottery. Part of a wooden spindle. Tray of Kimmeridge shale. Ditto ditto. . 58. q 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 6’7. 68. 69. 70. . Squared stones. ‘ 72. 73. ‘74. 75, 76. 7‘7. 78. 79. 55 MISCELLANEOUS. Roundells of plaster for letting into walls for decoration. Wall plaster, a large quantity, showing a variety of colour and design. ' Ditto, in a glass case, showing a’ bird. Flint flakes. Hone stone. Vitrified stone and mortar. Mortarium of Purbeck marble. Querns, or millstones. Bone counters. Part of a shaft of a column in greensand. Roofing slabs, hexagonal. Parts of cornice. Mortice stone. Oval stone, with | M x | upon it. Pieces of vase of Roman cement. Piece of lead. TILE. Large square tile, 21?; in. by 21% in., 2% in. thick, with the impression of human foot, 8% in. long, also of dog’s foot. Large square tile, 16%- in. by 16% in., 2 in. thick, with combed pattern and impression of human hand. .Flat tile, 16in). by mg in., 1.]; in. thick. Ditto 151,411. by 11% in., 1% in. thick. Ditto 10.;_ in. by 10 in., 1:1; in. thick. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95 56 Flat tile, 8i in. by 8 in. 11 in. thick. Double flange tile, 141n. by 103 in. at top, and 10 1n. at bottom, to allow of one covering the other, 1 1n. thick, flange 1 1n. deep. Hollow box, tile face, 15% in. by 9% in., 8 in. deepl Lono semi-circular roofing tile, 151n. long, %in. thick, 63 1n. diameter one end, 51 in. the other Semi-circular drainage tile, 12111. by 5% 1n. 4 in. thick. BONE-S. Man, somewhat broken, found 30 feet down the well. Bos Longifrons, a few bones and many teeth. .Deer, antlers and bones. Dog and other domestic animals. SHELLS. Oyster (0325mm adults). Limpet (Patella vulgata). Cockle (C'ardz'um edule). Periwinkle (Littom'na littorea). Snail (Helix nemoml/is and hortmsis). Mussel (Mg/Mus adults). (Tapes Pullastm). Examples of the following coins have been found: - DOMITIANUS AD. 81- 96 HADRIANUS ...... . .............. A.D. 117-138 ANTONINUS PIUs ............... A.D. 138-161 FAUSTINA, Senior, wife of the above .................................... SEVERUS ALEXANDER ......... A.D. 221-222 ELAGABALUS ..................... A.D. 218-222 TRAJANUS DECIUS ............ A.D. 249-251 GALLIENUS ..................... A.D. 253-268 SALONINA, wife of the above ......... VICTORINUS ..................... A.D. 265-267 POSTUMUS ........................ A.D. 260-267 TETRICUS (the Elder) ......... A.D. 267—272 CLAUDIUS GOTHICUS ............ A.D. 268-270 SEVERINA, Wife of Aurelianus ......... ALLECTUS ........................ A.D. 293-296 LICINIUS ...................... A.D. 307-324 CONSTANTINUS .................. A.D. 307-337 CRISPUS ., ...................... A.D. 317-326 CONSTANS .' ....................... A.D. 333—350 CONSTANTINUS II. ............ A.D. 337-361 MAGNENTIUS ..................... A.D. 350-353 VALENTINIANUS ............... A.D. 364-375 VALENS ........................ A.D. 364-378 GRATIANUS ..................... A.D. 375-383 ARCADIUS .., ........ , ............. A .D. 383-408 9 ~H0NORIUS......................... A.D. 393-423 EXPLANATION OF PLATE V. 1. Vase of black pottery, 3; inches high. 2 Jug or Bottle, 52 inches high. 3 Iron Spike. 4 Iron Spear-head, 8; inches long. 5. Iron Spike, 9 inches long. 6 Bowl of bronze spoon. 7 Bronze chain. 8 Bronze handle of door. 9 Key of door in iron, With bronze handle. 10. Iron hinge, 7 1nches long. 11. Iron tripod, 6% inches high. PLATE 2" A}. & WR.Emslie,lieh. ROMAN ANTIQUITIES. monroumm BRADINGJSLE orwmm'; leao. ‘ . PLATE VI. J.P.Em ’ . L _ shade! JP.&W.R.Emslie_1hb.,-> PLATE VI. 12. Bronze/stud. f 13. Bone ornament. ‘ 14. Bone ferrule. . . 15,16,17,18. Pottery with marks. ' ..-19- Socket of Sufi. ' 20, 21. Red pottery. 22.. Fragments of cement vase. Black pottery, University of Pennsylvania Library Circulation Department Please return this book as soon as you have finished with it. In order to avoid a fine it must be returned by the latest date stamped below. 3 1198 05861 2735 ||l|1||L|1||||W||LIL L|| IILI |H||||lH|||||H|L N/lLHS/DSBEl/2735X ”35323;;‘W L flfififlfi9i L L L 5 L g 1. L E 2 L L 3‘ - |llllllml!Ill||WEI![blirflfllllilflfilfiflflWIN\IIIIJHIHHHIII ~ N/ll‘lB/USBEL/E'HSX