Rockbourne Roman Villa

Rockbourne Roman villa is located at West Park, near the village of Rockbourne in Hampshire [1]. The villa was discovered in 1942 by a farmer digging out a ferret [1]. Originally the site was occupied by a timber roundhouse with a chalk floor, of a type common in the Late Iron Age [1]. In the 1st century this was replaced by a small rectangular stone house [1]. In 1967 a hoard of 7717 bronze coins was found buried in a pottery jar on the site [1]. By the 4th century the villa was now a large courtyard villa enclosed on at least three sides [1]. In total there were probably around 40 rooms in use [1]. Of particular interest are two much-damaged Roman milestones found re-used in the building fabric of the villa [1].