A Roman mosaic depicting a mythical chariot race has been fully uncovered in a Berkshire village – and it could be one of Britain’s most exciting archaeological discoveries.
The 1, 600 – year-old mosaic, which was found in Boxford in 2017 but only fully uncovered recently , is one of only three of its kind in the world and is ‘totally unknown’ in Britain, experts said.
It depicts a chariot race involving Greek mythological figure Pelops, who is racing to win the hand of love interest Princess Hippodamia.
A Roman mosaic depicting a mythical chariot race has been fully uncovered in a Berkshire village – and it could be one of Britain’s most exciting archaeological discoveries
The 1, 600 – year-old mosaic, which was found in Boxford in 2017 but only fully uncovered recently, is one of only three of its kind in the world
Archaeologist Matt Nichol, who worked on the dig, said the imagery and iconography on the mosaic, which is six meters long, was ‘second to none’. Above: The mosaic in 2017, when it was first uncovered
The mosaic was found in a field in the village two years ago but was then re-covered with soil to allow farmers to use the field
Archaeologist Matt Nichol, who worked on the dig, said the imagery and iconography on the mosaic, which is six meters long, was’ second to none ‘.
He said:’ There’s a real buzz and excitement on this project, I’ve never seen that before on any project that I’ve worked on. ‘
Those who worked on the dig were mainly volunteers from the Boxford History Project.
The mosaic was found in a field in the village two years ago but was then re-covered with soil to allow farmers to use the field.
Joy Appleton, the group’s chairman, told MailOnline: ‘In 10 days only, the volunteers managed to clear the entire mosaic area.
‘We have a passion for understanding our heritage and this is totally unknown in Britain. It is a rare thing. ‘
The find – named the Bellerophon Mosaic after one of the depicted figures – mainly depicts a chariot race involving Greek mythological figure Pelops, a grandson of Zeus, the king of the gods. He is racing to win the the hand of love interest Princess Hippodamia. Above: Volunteers from the Boxford History Project survey their work
Archaeologist Matt Nichol said: ‘There’s a real buzz and excitement on this project, I’ve never seen that before on any project that I’ve worked on’
On Saturday, the group held an open day for members of the public to view the find and Ms Appleton said there had been more interest than she expected.
‘We had nearly 3, 000 people turn up, ‘she said.
‘It is frightening in one sense. They must have come a long way from all over the country. ‘
The mosaic will now be covered over once more to protect it and to allow farming to continue.
And the prospect of removing the mosaic and putting it in a museum has been ruled out.
‘We have been told that there is no point removing it because it is too big for museums,’ Ms Appleton said.
Those who worked on the dig were mainly volunteers from the Boxford History Project (above: a volunteer at the site uncovers an artefact)
Joy Appleton, the group’s chairman, told MailOnline : ‘In 10 days only, the volunteers managed to clear the entire mosaic area. ‘We have a passion for understanding our heritage and this is totally unknown in Britain. It is a rare thing ‘. Above: Boxford History Project volunteers work on uncovering the mosaic
On Saturday, the group held an open day for members of the public to view the find and Ms Appleton said there had been more interest than she expected. ‘We had nearly 3, 000 people turn up, ‘she said. Above: A member of the team speaks to a local BBC reporter at the site
‘The local community want to keep the mosaic where it is. ‘
‘ It would cost millions to open it up. ‘
Anthony Beeson, an expert on Greek and Roman architecture, explained the story depicted on the mosaic.
Explaining the story depicted in the mosaic, Mr Beeson said: ‘The pavement shows Bellerophon and Pegasus but the main action is the story of Pelops and his race to win the hand of the Princess Hippodamia.
‘The king, Oenomaus, having been told that his future son-in-law would bring about his death, made all contestants race him in a chariot but handicapped them by putting the princess in the vehicle with them.
‘The losers were decapitated and their heads displayed.
‘ Pelops persuaded a former lover Myrtilus and the King’s chariot master to substitute a wax lynch pin and the king was killed when the wheels flew off. ‘
‘Pelops thereby won but killed Myrtilus who cursed his lineage and brought about the curse of the Pelops.
‘The king’s funerary games are said to be the origin of the Olympics.’
WHEN DID THE ROMANS OCCUPY BRITAIN?
55 BC – Julius Caesar crossed the channel with around 10, 000 soldiers. They landed at a Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of Britons. Caesar was forced to withdraw.
54 BC – Caesar crossed the channel with 27, 000 infantry and cavalry. Again they landed at deal but were unopposed. They marched inland and after hard battles they defeated the Britons and key tribal leaders surrendered.
However, later that year, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul to deal with problems there and the Romans left.
54 BC – 43 BC – Although there were no Romans present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links.
(AD – A Roman force of) , 000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east. The emperor Claudius arrived in Colchester with reinforcements. Claudius appointed Plautius as Governor of Britain and returned to Rome.
In 43 AD, a Roman force (artist’s impression) of 40, 000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east. The emperor Claudius then arrived in Colchester with reinforcements
47 AD – Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman empire. Networks of roads were built across the country.
75 – 77 AD – Romans defeated the last resistant tribes, making all Britain Roman. Many Britons started adopting Roman customs and law.
122 AD – Emperor Hadrian ordered that a wall be built between England and Scotland to keep Scottish tribes out.
312 AD – Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman empire.
228 AD – The Romans were being attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country started to be recalled to Rome.
410 AD – All Romans were recalled to Rome and Emperor Honorious told Britons they no longer had a connection to Rome.
Source:History on the net
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