by Archaeologists have discovered an important Roman settlement of the Iron Age, possibly also a Roman villa, after rare cavalry in the Cotswolds were discovered.
The excavation near a village of Cotswold was triggered by the find of two iron Roman cavalry.
The metal detectorist Glenn Manning discovered the rare artifacts during a rally near Willerssey. They were then donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
“It was incredible to find two swords in the same place,” said Mr. Manning.
“In the morning before the rally, I had the feeling of finding something special.
“This was only my second time that metal. I look forward to learning more about you.”
After this discovery, historical England carried out geophysical surveys of the area in which the swords were found, which showed the possibility that extensive prehistoric and Roman-British remains.
Excavations at the beginning of this year showed evidence of settlements that extended over several centuries.
This includes three or four iron trenches, an essential rectangular housing and remains of Roman limestone buildings that could be a winged villa.
Further archaeological work is required, and historical England could then recommend the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that the location is protected as a planned monument.
It is believed that the long swords or “Spatha” were used by the Romans from the beginning of the second century to the third century AD.
They are contemporary with the villa, but it is not known how they are there.
Ian Barnes, Senior Archaeologist at Historic England, said: “This excavation provides valuable insights into the nature of the settlement patterns from the early Iron Age to the Roman period in Gloucestershire.
“This new evidence will help us understand more about what happened in the time of Roman conquest, which must have been a turbulent time.”
Peter Busby from the Cotswold Archeology said: “I am very proud of how much our team of volunteers, professional archaeologists and metal detectorists was achieved in January in 15 days despite the heavy rain.
“We converted a plowed field, the swords and geophysical anomalies into the history of a settlement that stretches hundreds of years – the first phase in which the history of these fields and its cavalry has been told.”
Emma Stuart, director of the Corinium Museum, added: “It is a privilege to acquire so rare artifacts.
“This valuable addition of Roman weapons in the museum expands the history of life in the Cotswolds in the middle to late Roman times.
“Wiltshire Conservation has identified the most variable, and this gives this discovery another dimension.”
From August 2, the swords will be exhibited for the public inspection in the Corinium Museum.
