First-of-Its-Kind Roman Mosaic Has Been Found

A Roman mosaic has been found in the East Midlands, United Kingdom, the first of its kind on British soil, and archaeologists plan on expanding their excavations to better understand this era of humankind’s common history. 

“To have uncovered such a rare mosaic of this size, as well as a surrounding villa, is remarkable,” says Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England. “Discoveries like this are so important in helping us piece together our shared history. By protecting this site we are able to continue learning from it, and look forward to what future excavations may teach us about the people who lived there over 1,500 years ago.”

First discovered in the county of Rutland during the 2020 lockdown, the mosaic underwent further archaeological investigations in August 2020 by the University of Leicester Archaeological Services. Measuring 11m by 7m, the mosaic is unique since it is depicting a part of Greek hero Achilles’ story: his battle against Hector at the conclusion of the Trojan War. Only a few mosaics in Europe represent those events. The large villa in which the mosaic was featured was occupied between the 3rd and the 4th century AD, in the late Roman period. This site is of exceptional national importance, hence its protection as a scheduled monument. Further excavations will take place in 2022.