Norton Disney’s history and archaeology group to find out true size of Roman villa and surrounding Iron Age archaeology

Ambitious plans are being drawn up by Norton Disney’s history and archaeology group to find out the true size of its nationally important Roman villa and surrounding Iron Age archaeology.

It caps the end of a successful year for the group.

In September, its application to Historic England to extend the boundaries of the scheduled ancient monument surrounding the villa was granted, giving the villa the same legal protection as Stonehenge, over a much wider area.

In October the group commissioned commercial archaeology firm Allen Archaeology to conduct a geophysics survey next to the villa field, which showed archaeology extended further and was hundreds of years older than previously thought.

The group is appealing for £1,500 to pay for another geophysics survey on another side of the villa, where Roman masonry has been found.

The group hopes to show the villa extends in another direction.

It is also seeking £3,000 to carry out excavations of the features it discovered in the October geophysics.

The group has created a Gofundme page for online donations at gf.me/u/y8q7x4

Secretary Richard Parker said: “This is one of Lincolnshire’s biggest heritage sites.

“We are so pleased to have such great local support to help to protect and record a Lincolnshire cultural gem.

“Our previous geophysics survey was funded entirely by the generosity of local supporters and businesses and we achieved our target within two weeks.

“Our plans for excavations will be very Time Team in style. We are hoping local businesses will get the behind the group’s efforts to learn more about our nationally important heritage.

“If anybody does want to help then please contact us via our Gofundme Page, Facebook page or on Twitter @ndhags”