Great Witcombe Roman Villa

A large Roman villa built c. 150-200 AD on a hillside near Gloucester in Gloucestershire, constructed on four terraces to cope with difficult terrain. The west wing contained two simultaneous bath-houses, while the east wing housed kitchens and storerooms. Its marine mosaic depicts a greater variety of sea creatures than any other in Roman Britain, including a unique depiction of an electric ray. Discovered in 1818 by Samuel Lysons, with major excavations by Elsie Clifford (1938) and Ernest Greenfield (1960-1973). A 2000 English Heritage survey confirmed it as one of the largest Roman villas in Britain. Occupied into the early 5th century AD.