2 Ro buildings excavated by Hayman Rooke in 1786. One was of basilican design with opus signinum floors; the other a corridor house with a mosaic floor and painted walls. In 1936-9 A Oswald re-excavated the site, and confirmed Rooke's discovery. Below the corridor house was found a C1/C2 Ro occupation site (see M8942). Finds of pottery (including samian at all levels), coins and brooches, suggested …AD 180 first stone building erected, AD 300-360 site deserted. (1) (2) (3)
The site is on arable land, on a gentle NE facing slope. The farmer, who had been in occupation only a few years, indicated on the ground a patch of lighter coloured soil which he had been informed was where the villa stood - at the above NGR. (4)
Villa site now almost level. Potsherds and fragments of tiles remain, and a quantity of stone has been removed and piled at side of field. There are still extensive foundations to be found with the probe. There are more in the next field to the E of the burial site. Round the burial site which is level, some large stones have been dragged out by the plough. The site is now well filled market garden soil bearing rhubarb, tomatoes, strawberries and cabbages. (5)
Nothing is now visible on the surface but it is said that numerous coins have been found by metal detector users. I explained the legal position of SAMs to the farmer who did not seem too concerned. (6)
After Rooke's excavation the landowner put up a cover building so the mosaics could be viewed. By 1811 this building was ruined and the site had been vandalised, by 1843 the site had been filled in and the cover building demolished. (8)
See M3941 for cemetery, M8942 for pre-villa Roman settlement.

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

Plans, (2), Parish file

<1> Soc of Ants of London, 1787, Archaeologia, pp 363 - 76 (Published document). SNT91.

<2> Thoroton Society, 1949, TTS, pp 1-14 (Published document). SNT363.

<3> Soc of Ants of London, 1938, Antiquaries Journal, pp 176 - 8 (Published document). SNT79.

<4> Colquhoun FD, 1975, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT583.

<5> Mark F, 1950, AM7 (Unpublished document). SNT903.

<6> Samuels JR, 1986, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT1231.

<7> VCH, 1910, Notts, pp 28 - 31 (Published document). SNT1384.

<8> Sumpter T, 1997, Northfield Roman Villa, Mansfield Woodhouse: Archaeological Assessment (Unpublished document). SNT1849.