Roman Villa of Frielas

The Roman Villa of Frielas is located in the parish of Frielas in the municipality of Loures in the Lisbon District of Portugal [1]. It fell under the territory of the Roman settlement of Olisipo, which covered a large area from Lisbon to the south to Torres Vedras in the north [1]. Excavations began in 1997 and are continuing, over an area of about 3500 square metres [1]. The Roman village was one of the more important archaeological sites in the municipality of Loures; it reflects the Roman organization and planning that persisted during the period of Imperial Rome until the early Middle Ages [1]. Artefacts discovered on the site include fragments of Roman mosaics, discovered in 1997 near the Chapel of Santa Catarina; unearthed and examined, the items dated to the 3rd century, suggesting a longer period of settlement [1].