Only the second day and we have wonderful mosaics and not just in the test pit from 17 years ago!
Most of the sand has been removed and the finer cleaning begins
Fay, Carol, Helen, Rob and Pete took off the next layer just above the mosaic, it contained Victorian glass, the odd iron nail and one piece of roman pot. In places the layer was not as deep and glimpses of mosaic were seen. Amy and Charlotte joined them in the afternoon when we started to clean the last of the soil to reveal the mosaic. Exciting to see it was in such good condition and how small the tesserae are.
The girls working hard to get to the layer just above the mosaics
A glimpse of the wonders to come
I wonder what is under the slate? probably put down by the Victorians when they first explored the room
We also opened two more trenches in room 27 where a pot was found dug into the ground during the test pit survey in 2000, we have no idea what else we may find, time will tell.
The two trenches in room 27, there is evidence of burning next to the large stones just below the red and white scale.
Today was very sunny and we had some very small visitors on site and in our buckets!
A lovely little lizard
Archaeology National Trust SW 
I have been to chetworth villa as I live in Swindon
Come along again and see how we have got on 🙂
All very tantalizing …. Lizard looks keen to join in though, but what a pity he’s forgotten his trowel 🙂
Jackie
🙂
Where are the mosaics pictured here located? Are they from the west gate reception or the west gate corridor?
Hi Poppy,
These mosaics are in room 28 in the north range, a few rooms down beyond the stone Pilae room and the steps down to the museum. We have reburied them to protect them from being damaged by frost, snow and rain, cheers Nance