RETURN TO GROUNDWELL RIDGE
- Plan of Roman hot baths expected to be revealed-
A new season of excavation begins this week at Groundwell Ridge in north Swindon. This is part of an ongoing community project funded by English Heritage and Swindon Borough Council supported by Wessex Archaeology.
This years activities will focus on unearthing the secrets of the hot range of the baths. Large quantities of tile that had collapsed into the hot baths were removed last year, revealing tantalising hints of early walls that would have supported a series of rooms. With more exhaustive work to be carried out in the next few weeks, a full plan of the hot baths is expected to be revealed.
The dig will last five weeks during which time volunteers will have the chance to team up with professional archaeologists and work on the site of the Roman villa discovered in 1996 and saved from destruction in 1999.
Visitors are welcome to visit the site and see the archaeology team at work from 5th to 23th July, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.00am to 5.00pm. There will be displays of finds from the site and poster information about the dig. For more information please contact 07889 808139.
Last year, the team discovered the well preserved cold range of bath suite with floors and wall plaster in place despite the site having been abandoned 1,600 years ago. To the south of the baths a mysterious room or cellar 1.7m deep was found, complete with preserved wooden floor joists.
Pete Wilson, English Heritages Head of Research Policy (Roman Archaeology) said, We are delighted to be able to build on the projects success and to provide the public with the opportunity to get involved with Swindons history again. It is exciting to see how far we have come since the site was saved from development in 1999 and we hope that this years excavation will continue to excite and inspire.
Councillor Justin Tomlinson, cabinet member for leisure, culture & recreation and local ward Councillor, said: Groundwell Ridge is one of our great community assets and we have worked hard to develop its potential while protecting the buried remains. The excavations this year should reveal even more about the daily lives of people in Roman Britain and how we can protect the site for the future.
Forthcoming Events:
17th - 24th July National Archaeology Week
This is an annual event designed to encourage people to visit museums and archaeological sites. During the week with the exception of Sundays, the team will be digging and conducting site tours at Groundwell Ridge. Site tours only on Sundays.