Unearthing Britain’s Lost Roman Villa - Secrets of Ancient Gloucestershire | Time Team - S6 E9

Step inside one of Britain’s largest Roman villas ever discovered as Time Team returns to Gloucestershire, uncovering secrets hidden beneath a quiet field for 1600 years.

In this episode, the team revisits Turkdean, where previous digs revealed an immense Roman villa complex with courtyards, bathhouses, workshops, and mysterious outbuildings. But new geophysics results suggest the site is even bigger than imagined, possibly including ritual springs, shrines, and an intricate water system. Follow the archaeologists as they open new trenches, unearth painted wall plaster, mosaics, coins, brooches, and evidence of both domestic luxury and industrial activity. Watch as theories evolve - was this extra range a temple, a “granny wing,” or something entirely unexpected?

As discoveries mount, learn about Roman life in Gloucestershire: from villa estate infrastructure to ritual offerings in the springs, and the social rise of local aristocrats under Roman rule. The team reconstructs how the villa evolved over centuries, revealing a high-status residence complete with painted rooms, cellars, and even towered entrances. Special highlights include an authentic Roman altar dedication, ancient pigments in action, and the ingenious tracing of the villa’s water source. Perfect for anyone interested in Roman Britain, archaeology, or Time Team’s signature blend of history and hands-on exploration.

#Archaeology #TimeTeam #RomanVilla #RomanBritain #Turkdean #AncientHistory #Excavation #BritishHistory