ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS - Epic mosaic discovery - Rutland Roman villa in a field, Greek myth - Time Team

A major archaeological discovery was made by a British farmer during lockdown - a large Roman villa, complete with an intriguing mosaic depicting scenes from Ancient Greek mythology... buried under a field in England.
The mosaic discovered in England's smallest county, Rutland, tells a story that stretches back thousands of years into the Bronze Age. Time Team's resident community archaeologist, Dani Wootton catches up with John Thomas from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services to find out more about this amazing discovery.
John Thomas is no stranger to Time Team having appeared on the programme several times over the years, alongside fellow archaeology Peter Liddle (who we interviewed recently on Patreon). What's more the geophysical survey on the villa was carried out by SUMO - the company led by Time Team's own geophys whizz, Dr John Gater!
Very special thanks to John Thomas, UCLA and Historic England.
Lead image, drone stills and footage, and photos of Dr David Neal: © Historic England Archive
All other stills and footage from the excavation courtesy of University of Leicester.
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Пікірлер: 103

  • @jjteacher7482
    @jjteacher74822 жыл бұрын

    Yes! John finally found the Roman mosaic Tony was always asking for.

  • @corbinbacon9043
    @corbinbacon90432 жыл бұрын

    Straight into my "liked" and saved into "watch later". I'm so glad time team has come back for a second wind!!

  • @joshschneider9766
    @joshschneider97662 жыл бұрын

    The most evocative and dramatic version of the illiad possible on a Roman villa in england. Absolutely fantastic!

  • @IAlwaysWantedToTryThat
    @IAlwaysWantedToTryThat2 жыл бұрын

    Worth considering, the Greek plays in the ancient Golden Era of Drama (Aeschylus, Euripedes, Sophocles, and Aristophanes) only performed their play once, at the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens. The expense for each play was paid for by the wealthiest members of the city, who could opt to pay for a play or fully outfit a trireme (how wild it is to think of a world where the arts and defense are on equal priorities). The earliest of Aeschylus's plays I believe were paid for by Pericles, the "father of Democracy" in Athens, although that name may be due to his savvy use of propoganda and theater. But I digress... the players in each play were given a living expense during the year they spent learning the play by rote (no plays of Aeschylus at least were ever written down in his lifetime), but many became wealthy after the play's performance by being bards-for-hire, with the wealthy and nobility of all of Greece and even beyond hiring them to come perform the play for private events. It's likely that this continued well into the Roman occupation period, with plays still being performed by professional roving dramatists all around the empire. It's very possible this could be the means of the story landing in Britain. Either way, incredible discovery & very thankful for the discussion!

  • @briansjonesy77
    @briansjonesy772 жыл бұрын

    Greetings from USA! It must be so exciting to have these hidden gems dotted all over the country just waiting to be found!

  • @PortmanRd

    @PortmanRd

    Жыл бұрын

    New dig site planned for Hadrian's wall.

  • @RobBoudreau
    @RobBoudreau2 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely stunning discovery. It's great to see David Neal still digging and adding to his collection of mosaics, just wonderful. Thank you Dani!

  • @choklityum
    @choklityum2 жыл бұрын

    An amazing piece of history! So glad to be able to join the Time Team for their new adventures!

  • @letiekllib
    @letiekllib2 жыл бұрын

    * As I prepare to endure the ensuing "covid winter" I am appreciative of Time Team and how they keep humanity engaged in the pursuit and understanding of our curious species. The prerequisite of all intelligent tinkering begins with maintaining all the pieces. I salute you from afar and hope to return soon. billkeitel. U.S.A.

  • @favouritemoon4133
    @favouritemoon41332 жыл бұрын

    That was great, and it would be fantastic to hear Jim's account of finding such treasures on land he had walked on for so many years previously.

  • @mozdickson

    @mozdickson

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hear, hear! YES please. I'm sure he has some great anecdotes and insights, knowing that land and climate etc so well.

  • @shakapedia17
    @shakapedia172 жыл бұрын

    It's always great to see something new in the past. Passed but not forgotten.

  • @sirrathersplendid4825
    @sirrathersplendid48252 жыл бұрын

    Amazing that you got Toyah onto Time Team!

  • @belendemaria1989
    @belendemaria19892 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this amazing interview! Such an incredible discovery, I'm very grateful for this chance to hear experts discussing it.

  • @nexussever
    @nexussever2 жыл бұрын

    What a great interview!

  • @biologychic7292
    @biologychic72922 жыл бұрын

    Yay! I can’t wait to see all of the new digs 🙌🏻

  • @robynw6307
    @robynw63072 жыл бұрын

    Stunning find. Simply stunning. It's so lovely to see such an in-tact example of Roman mosaic.

  • @worldcapers
    @worldcapers2 жыл бұрын

    What a fabulous Roman Mosaic telling the story of a central episode from The Iliad, the duel between Hector and Achilles. Stylistically this mosaic reminds me of a local Somerset Roman mosaic now in the Taunton Museum which tells the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas. Well worth a visit to the museum to see it if you can!

  • @patwithers1448
    @patwithers14482 жыл бұрын

    Love from the old lady in Texas may God bless you always and forever

  • @silva7493
    @silva74932 жыл бұрын

    What a spectacular thing it is. I'd love to see a rendering with the original colors all trued up. I wonder what kind of room it would be, where you'd see a floor as such a beautiful art piece. Certainly you wouldn't cover it in carpet and furniture. I just can't picture putting anything on it at all.

  • @Liz-sc5dg
    @Liz-sc5dg2 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating Time Team video and discussion! Thank you. My curious question is what happens to the landowner and his land when a significant find is listed? Thanks from Canada

  • @Becca2334
    @Becca23342 жыл бұрын

    What an amazing video and what a great find. Blessings to all over there!🤗

  • @donnal.oglesby4806
    @donnal.oglesby48062 жыл бұрын

    Very Interesting read, we had a news post of this, here Over the pond, that ran though Yahoo News, that I was reading about and first thought was, Oh I wish Time Team had found it. I can just imagine Phil finding something like this and just getting all giddy about it with his OHH AWWW. I read that there were TWO separate discoveries actually, this one and one other?? and that BOTH pieces were from Homer's Iliad??

  • @Blackholeforyou
    @Blackholeforyou2 жыл бұрын

    Love the new info. Keep it coming🍀

  • @imbwildrd3693
    @imbwildrd36932 жыл бұрын

    Well the thumbnail sure is intriguing.....and absolutely stunning!!

  • @thickernell
    @thickernell2 жыл бұрын

    Incredible!

  • @nodarkthings
    @nodarkthings2 жыл бұрын

    The first thing I thought when I heard about this was the legend that links Britain with Troy.

  • @glennroy2747
    @glennroy27472 жыл бұрын

    It amazes me the history that is underfoot in Briton. Beautiful.

  • @vincentkermorgant
    @vincentkermorgant2 жыл бұрын

    Nice. Found the location of the Villa on Google maps ;)

  • @markstephens8396
    @markstephens83962 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely fantastic!

  • @MsRain49
    @MsRain492 жыл бұрын

    How exciting! 💗

  • @Merylstreep1949
    @Merylstreep19492 жыл бұрын

    Awesome Dani❤❤❤❤❤👌

  • @davidcaldecoat7414
    @davidcaldecoat74142 жыл бұрын

    WOW WHAT AN AMAZING DISCOVERY

  • @annafaber4007
    @annafaber40072 жыл бұрын

    What a find!!!! this is realy great!!

  • @highpath4776
    @highpath47762 жыл бұрын

    If there is a mosaic on the floor, what would have been on the walls (if any - walls or decoration?)

  • @graemebrumfitt6668
    @graemebrumfitt66682 жыл бұрын

    WOW what a find! TFS, GB :)

  • @lisamoore6804
    @lisamoore68042 жыл бұрын

    Wow, this is awesome.

  • @mozdickson
    @mozdickson2 жыл бұрын

    5:32 John's pooch contributes a canine perspective to the amazing find. Apparently there are bones? But seriously WELL DONE to the landowners, for being aware, inquisitive, alert and ethical. May every blessing be upon them and their land, which has harboured this amazing treasure for so long, and is now shared with anyone interested!

  • @DrivermanO
    @DrivermanO2 жыл бұрын

    Faacinating. What a fortunate farmer to have this amazing stuff under his field. But what I never understand is how when the mosaics are discovered, there always seem to be big chunks missing. You'd have thought that if it was plough damage, someone might have noticed the coloured pieces of the mosaic being turned up to the surface. But I suppse they are small and muddy - but there are a lot of them!

  • @dogwalker666

    @dogwalker666

    2 жыл бұрын

    Could have been rabbits, moles or even badgers digging through.

  • @sarahv1876

    @sarahv1876

    2 жыл бұрын

    some of the damage may have been done as the buildings fell into disuse / were destroyed and then later buried

  • @dogwalker666

    @dogwalker666

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@sarahv1876 good point.

  • @AnnaAnna-uc2ff
    @AnnaAnna-uc2ff2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @Bowie_E
    @Bowie_E2 жыл бұрын

    🙏 Thank you 🤗

  • @0623kaboom
    @0623kaboom2 жыл бұрын

    nice hope time team gets a chance to work in the site and see what else they can discover or bring to light about the locaton and villa etc

  • @0623kaboom

    @0623kaboom

    2 жыл бұрын

    hearing all the suspected and discovered items I dont think it's a villa but a theater school ...

  • @antonychapman2406
    @antonychapman24062 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating. One of the best interviews. Loved the way in which the story in the iliad has been changed over time. And what a beautiful mosaic.

  • @MichaelHolloway
    @MichaelHolloway2 жыл бұрын

    Hooray! that the University was able to innovate a regulatory solution / make the dig happen!

  • @mozdickson

    @mozdickson

    2 жыл бұрын

    chortle! Took 14 meetings of the Deans and 2 Academic Boards and 3 Council resolution and 2 OHS Risk reviews.

  • @ledacedar6253
    @ledacedar62532 жыл бұрын

    Lovin yah 'eh! BC, Canada

  • @arctic_haze
    @arctic_haze2 жыл бұрын

    "In the middle of Britain". I appreciate the great discovery but isn't it rather the middle of England?

  • @eliakimjosephsophia4542
    @eliakimjosephsophia45422 жыл бұрын

    Shared

  • @chrisdarry-roseelrod4481
    @chrisdarry-roseelrod44812 жыл бұрын

    That is an amazing find. What does it mean to be a scheduled monument and what happens to the land around it?

  • @Merylstreep1949
    @Merylstreep19492 жыл бұрын

    Rutland, home of The Rutles,the greatest band ever

  • @ellenl.5581
    @ellenl.55812 жыл бұрын

    I want to see a mosaic lifted. How many time digs have have been revisited and completed. Gophis must be so much more effecient now.

  • @radman8321
    @radman83212 жыл бұрын

    Hopefully a glorious rebirth.

  • @BadgerBishop
    @BadgerBishop2 жыл бұрын

    This mosaic is like what a fan of Hamilton would have instead of having actual historic stuff.

  • @celinem8456
    @celinem84562 жыл бұрын

    Great piece! Will the mosaic be removed to preserve it? And are the landowners compensated for the impact of the excavations on their land and/or when the land or parts thereof becomes a listed ancient monument. Thank you Time Team!

  • @margielewis6009
    @margielewis60092 жыл бұрын

    like the movie , TROY is like the story,good to know it is real

  • @lnbjr7
    @lnbjr72 жыл бұрын

    Great reporting of this incredible discovery. Please consider providing Dani with a lest stark background. Anything to reduce the stark white wall behind her would be a tremendous step in the right direction!

  • @frankschroth4038
    @frankschroth40382 жыл бұрын

    When is Time Team showing a new episode like they used to be? I mean you're announcing and announcing but nothing happens!!!

  • @TimeTeamOfficial

    @TimeTeamOfficial

    2 жыл бұрын

    Spring 2022. More details here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rGZll8iRc9izqrA.html

  • @classicambo9781

    @classicambo9781

    2 жыл бұрын

    Check it out now Frank!

  • @mike_lowndes
    @mike_lowndes2 жыл бұрын

    looks like someone stole/removed Achilles (panels 2 and 3) in antiquity.

  • @suziewheeler6530
    @suziewheeler65302 жыл бұрын

    Well if brutus the last prince of troy founded Briton and the Scottish welsh and irish were originally Greek from troy this would not be so odd...because everyone coming from troy would have had this story ingrained in them...and the story in the original form would have been known

  • @djehuti3
    @djehuti32 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant discovery and fascinating details in the mosaic. It is alway striking to me however how inferior artistically the mosaics of Britain are when compared to the wonders we see in Italy - especially Rome itself. Which is not surprising - we were a distant outpost of the empire.

  • @nigeldawson5960
    @nigeldawson59602 жыл бұрын

    Where is Phil? And Francis?

  • @machellep1
    @machellep12 жыл бұрын

    So what happens to the farmers land.. does he just loose it ?

  • @pilkipilki4472
    @pilkipilki44722 жыл бұрын

    She had to smile

  • @trevorpayne9671
    @trevorpayne96712 жыл бұрын

    There can be another reason for this mosaic's existence: namely the ancient fable that the Trojans came to England under Brutus, son/grandson of Aeneas, founder of Rome. The Stone of London is supposed to be laid by this Brutus.

  • @SevCaswell
    @SevCaswell2 жыл бұрын

    Patrocles wasn't Achillies 'best friend' they wre lovers, sheeh.

  • @TheEhreilly
    @TheEhreilly2 жыл бұрын

    'best friend' ;p

  • @andrewwhelan7311
    @andrewwhelan73112 жыл бұрын

    Ancient British myth in an ancient British Villa in an ancient British field.

  • @JonFrumTheFirst
    @JonFrumTheFirst2 жыл бұрын

    He says that scheduling is rare. A quick look at Wikipedia tells me that there are about 20,000 scheduled monuments in England, and 'tens of thousands' in the UK. Also that there is no appeal. Hmmm ...

  • @gagatube

    @gagatube

    2 жыл бұрын

    He was saying scheduling of a 'farm find' or a previously unknown item was rare. Scheduling of existing castles, bridges, houses, standing stones, churches, stately homes and the like is not so rare.

  • @benediktmorak4409
    @benediktmorak44092 жыл бұрын

    says premiere i n11 Minutes, thin i will make me Coffee, go to the toilet, and than can watch without interruption...

  • @mudgetheexpendable
    @mudgetheexpendable2 жыл бұрын

    Glorious mosaic! "Funny" how all the damage includes the genitalia....

  • @BigGMK
    @BigGMK2 жыл бұрын

    Right in the centre of Britain?

  • @Ijusthopeitsquick
    @Ijusthopeitsquick2 жыл бұрын

    John...Thomas?

  • @jessiebrader2926

    @jessiebrader2926

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, and the villa was owned by Biggus Dickus, what are the chances of that?

  • @jamesgibbs9043
    @jamesgibbs90432 жыл бұрын

    I was so thrilled that Time Team was coming back.... this show has all the appeal of a Zoom call -you don't even have a background....

  • @TimeTeamOfficial

    @TimeTeamOfficial

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi James, the new episodes are currently in post-production and will be available on this channel in Spring 2022. While we're working on the bigger projects, we like to share more regular interviews and other news stories from the wider world of archaeology for those who wish to dig a little deeper.

  • @wirehead1000
    @wirehead10002 жыл бұрын

    The prominence of the chariot may be a British view of the Greek Age of Heroes, as the Brits were some of the last Europeans to abandon chariot warfare. The Celtic naked Celtic Gae Satae laminate well to the Greco-Anatolian Bronze Age Hero mythos. The Kouros of pre-classical Greece are the naked heroes in pre-classic statuary. British tradition lists Brut of Troy as ancestral to the British royals, so Britain claims Troy (as does the Latins) as their royal antecedent.

  • @juhonieminen4219
    @juhonieminen42192 жыл бұрын

    All about that huge mosaic screams mid-life crisis of some rich dude: fast carts and shirtless Achilles as giga Chad. Think about your own dad ordering such art to the living room and buying a Ferrari at his 50 years birthday. Kids in that household have propably been embarassed of all the luxury and Alpha male memes. Maybe the lady of the house has deceased and the guy is living his second youth, visioning him self as the Greek hero. Just saying. I've been a keen reader of roman letters and poetry my whole life. People have not really changed that much in two millenia.

  • @bobbeckman3735
    @bobbeckman37352 жыл бұрын

    What do I want - people digging in the dirt. What do I get? - Interviews. When does the digging start?

  • @petermitchell6348
    @petermitchell63482 жыл бұрын

    "Put down in 700 ish"!? I think she meant to say 700BC!!

  • @tonywatson987

    @tonywatson987

    2 жыл бұрын

    No Romans in Britain until 54BC, but colonisation only really started in 43AD.

  • @petermitchell6348

    @petermitchell6348

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tonywatson987 I was quoting her in reference to the Greeks and the Illiad :)

  • @tonywatson987

    @tonywatson987

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@petermitchell6348 Sorry Peter; yes, you're absolutely right!

  • @petermitchell6348

    @petermitchell6348

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tonywatson987 No probs mate. :)

  • @monham5041
    @monham50412 жыл бұрын

    One criticism. Too much talking and not enough showing what has been found. People watch this to see what has been found not listen to two people getting excited about things that were not shown.

  • @susanmyers1899
    @susanmyers18992 жыл бұрын

    To much talk not enough visuals.

  • @Hurricaneintheroom
    @Hurricaneintheroom2 жыл бұрын

    Pesky Romans always leaving their mosaic's lying around everywhere. LOL

  • @juhonieminen4219
    @juhonieminen42192 жыл бұрын

    The deep message of Iliad has sadly declined into an action comedy there, with no understanding of the tragedy of war. The posh romano-british living in a cozy villa know little about loss, or the madness of battle, where no amount of spilled blood will bring the satisfaction of revenge to Achilles. Pretty mosaic with childish storytelling.

  • @uncletomcobley6950

    @uncletomcobley6950

    2 жыл бұрын

    Preach almighty authority...

  • @philroberts7238

    @philroberts7238

    2 жыл бұрын

    Well, that's the Tories for you! *;)*

  • @philroberts7238

    @philroberts7238

    2 жыл бұрын

    And in fact throughout their history the Romans were pretty partial to the spilling of blood - it was their most popular form of mass entertainment, in fact. All civilisations, including our own, have their plusses and minuses - a lesson that the "anti-woke brigade" seem to have a little difficulty coming to terms with at the moment! Hopefully, archaeologists, historians and all the other experts ("who needs them?") can keep their cool when all around them are losing theirs!

  • @lenabreijer1311

    @lenabreijer1311

    2 жыл бұрын

    Or the owner was intimately familiar with warfare and considered this to be the pinnacle of war experience. I doubt you could live in the Roman empire without knowing war.

  • @juhonieminen4219

    @juhonieminen4219

    2 жыл бұрын

    I am amazed not one of you have read the Iliad. Shame on you. And the remake: Illiad and Furious anno 300: Fast carts, hero with no shirt, weighing in gold literally, no longer a metaphor of grieving of the father.

  • @annitelford8437
    @annitelford84372 жыл бұрын

    Central to England NOT Britain as the female presenter suggests. She really needs to lose her English bias.

  • @Jordi_Llopis_i_Torregrosa96

    @Jordi_Llopis_i_Torregrosa96

    2 жыл бұрын

    who cares

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