Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group’s 2023 excavation unearthing evidence of Roman and Iron Age settlement

An archaeological dig is unearthing new clues to an area’s history.

Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group is mid way through it’s dig at Brills Farm, Norton Disney, unearthing a number of Roman and Iron Age artefacts.

So far the team of volunteers, from Norton Disney, Carlton Le Moorland, Bassingham, Collingham and even further afield, have discovered Roman pottery, building materials and evidence of Iron Age activity.

The dig has confirmed a second Roman settlement in Norton Disney, apart from the Roman Villa, off Folly Lane.

Group secretary Richard Parker said: “It’s all going very well.

“We’ve had an awful lot of Roman pottery from the second and third centuries, as well as Iron Age and Roman building materials.”

Four years ago the group carried out a geophysical survey of the area and identified some very complex and previously unknown archaeology that needed excavation, and this is the first chance it has had to do so.

The evidence of a settlement includes part of a heating system for a Roman home and a nearly complete pot.

“It gives us a clue as to the settlement,” he added.

“Not just Roman, but a particular period within the Roman empire.”

Excavation of the four large trenches, at least 20m long and 5m wide, began on Wednesday, June 7, and will continue until Tuesday.

Initial excavations were assisted by a digger, until volunteers took over with hand tools.

On Saturday, from 10am to 2pm, visitors are invited to come to the site to see what's been discovered. Access to the site is via Folly Lane.

Once the dig is complete, a report will be written up of all the findings from the site, expected to take two to three months. The pottery found will be examined by an expert.

Richard said: “It’s been a very useful excersise.

“It has confirmed it is definitely a Roman site. The question we are aiming to answer over the next few months is what its connection with the villa is.”