Experts have described a 1,500 year-old mosaic representation of Homer’s Iliad that was discovered by a Walker in a field by an unknown person as being the most exciting Roman discovery in Britain in the past 100 years.
It is believed that the artwork was the original in Britain.
While Brian Naylor, the son of landowner Brian Naylor made the original discovery while out walking during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, University of Leicester experts were only able complete the examination of the site by September.
The experts can now reveal the findings of their research and excavation. This is a sign of how important the discovery was. The site has been designated a “scheduled monument” by the Government. It will now be protected legally from any future treasure hunters.
It measures 31 feet by 21 inches and is the only mosaic in existence that depicts Homer’s tale about Achilles fighting Hector in the Trojan War.
Once, the mosaic formed part of the floor for a room within a Roman villa that was occupied in the third and fourth centuries AD.
The site also contained human remains. It is thought that the area was once home to a rich person with knowledge about classical literature.
Amazing drone footage will be featured in BBC’s Digging for Britain next year. It shows workers clearing the battle scene. Horses, chariots, and people are easily visible.
John Thomas of the University of Leicester was project manager for the excavations. He said that it was the most thrilling Roman mosaic discovery made in the UK during the last century.
It gives us new perspectives on people’s attitudes, links to classical literature and also tells us enormous amounts about the person who commissions this piece.
“This person has a deep knowledge of classics and had enough money to pay for a detailed piece. It’s also the first representation of these stories we have ever seen in Britain.
Experts have described a mosaic representation of Homer’s Iliad from 1,500 years ago that was discovered in a farmer’s field by a walker. It is the “most thrilling” Roman discovery made in the UK over the last 100 year. It is believed to be the UK’s first example of the artwork.
Although Brian Naylor’s son made the original discovery while he was walking in the coronavirus lockdown of 2020, University of Leicester experts were only able complete their investigation of the area in September. They are only now able to share the findings of their digging and research.
Jim Irvine (the son of Mr Naylor the farmer) spoke about the moment that he discovered the location of the mosaic. He said, “A stroll through the fields with my family transformed into an amazing discovery.”
“Finding unusual pottery in the wheat caught my attention and inspired me to do more research.
Later, while looking through the satellite imagery, I noticed a distinct crop mark. As if someone had drawn a line on my computer screen using a piece chalk.
It was truly the “oh wow” moment and the start of the story.
Experts believe that the new mosaic is the floor for a large entertainment or dining area.
The Roman Empire was home to many Mosaics, and they were frequently used in public and private buildings from AD 43 through AD 410.
Although mosaics are often depicted figures of mythology or history, this Rutland mosaic features Homer’s famous work.
A team of geophysicists was conducting the survey in collaboration with Historic England. Rutland county council also discovered remnants of circular structures, aisled barns, and even an alleged bath house.
One time, the mosaic was used as a floor in the room of large Roman villas. It was then used between the third century and the fourth century AD.
There were human remains also discovered at this site. This is believed to be the former home of an affluent person who was well-versed in classical literature.
From AD 43 to AD 410, mosaics were used both in private and public places throughout the Roman Empire. Britain belonged to it. Although mosaics are often depicted historical and mythological figures, the Rutland mosaic features Homer’s famous work. Above: The workers are shown on their knees, clapping the mosaic and digging the site.
It is possible that this site was later used or repurposed due to fire damage. It is believed that the remains of human beings found in the site were buried once it was abandoned.
These items are thought to be from the late Roman and early Medieval periods.
Additional evidence from the site will be investigated by both the University of Leicester Archaeological Service as well as specialists from Historic England, and other parts of the UK.
Jim Irvine, son of landowner, Mr Naylor found the remnants of the villa/mosaic in a field. They had been brought to the surface through ploughing, among other activities.
After being thoroughly examined, it is now covered up to keep it safe.
Rutland County council is currently discussing the possibility of a display off-site.
Thomas said: “The fact that the larger context of the surrounding complex was also enormously significant because prior excavations on Roman villas only were able to capture partial images of settlements like this, but it appears that this is a very well preserved example of a complete villa.
Jim Irvine is seen with his father Brian Naylor shortly after discovering the villa and mosaic remains.
The team was working with Historic England, Rutland Country Council and other partners to perform geophysical surveys. They also discovered the remains of possible aisled barns and circular structures, as well as a potential bathhouse.
Above: Workers examine human bones found on the site of the villa. It is believed that they were buried shortly after the villa’s occupation.
Irvine stated that this archaeological discovery had taken most of the time I have been free over the past year. It’s been fascinating, given my regular job.
“The last year has been an absolute thrill. I have worked with students and archaeologists at the site. It is amazing to imagine what the future holds.
Duncan Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer of Historic England. He said that it was remarkable to have found a mosaic this rare and also a villa around. This discovery is so crucial for helping us to understand our shared history.
“By safeguarding this site, we can continue to learn from it and look forward for what future excavations might reveal about those who lived there more than 1,500 years ago.”
Alice Roberts is the host of Digging for Britain. She said that she loves Digging for Britain because, even though we plan to make the series, there are no guarantees about what new discoveries we might discover.
“This year’s revelations were nothing less than spectacular. Each find helps us to understand the lives and times of those who lived once in Britain. The physical realities of the past can be experienced through archaeology.
Now that it has been thoroughly examined, the site, which is not open to the public, has already been covered over once again to protect it
Rutland County council is currently discussing the possibility of a display off-site. Above: One part of the mosaic
Alice Roberts is the host of Digging for Britain. She said that she loves Digging for Britain because, even though we were planning to make the series, it was impossible to know what new discoveries would be. “His year has been full of amazing revelations, each one bringing us closer to understanding how people lived once upon a time in Britain. The physical realities of the past are brought to life through archaeology.
Homer’s Iliad has been called the Western literary classic with the longest surviving manuscript.
This is a Trojan War-era set and the central figure of it is Achilles.
Achilles, considered the greatest warrior of Greeks, gets into a heated argument with King Agamemnon.
After being dishonoured by King Philip, Achilles leaves the battlefield.
After Agamemnon seduces the daughter of Apollo priest and refuses her return, the plague that struck the Greek armies is unleashed.
Achilles returns later to the fold, and famously kills Hector the Prince of Troy in front of city gates.
Paris, Hector’s younger brother and Achilles’s murderer, kills Achilles with an arrow.
This moment was immortalized in modern language, referring to the ‘Achilles heel’ as a point or weakness.
Homer’s Iliad has been called the oldest Western literature work. It was written during the Trojan War. The central figure of this work is Achilles. Above: Battle scene taken from the classic novel
What WERE THEIR GREAT WORKS AND WHO IS HOMER?
Homer is unknown, but scholars think he may have been blind.
Although very little is known about Homer’s identity, the ancient Greeks believe he was the first great epic poet.
His credit is given for being the one to have written The Illiad as well as The Odyssey.
He was believed to have been born sometime between 12th and 8th century BC.
Some believe that he collected oral stories from the past and then memorized them. His role is more that of a balladeer than a traditional poet.
Homer is believed to have been blind. His appearance was often described as thick, curly hair and beard with sightless eyes.
Homer’s Iliad often is considered the oldest Western literature work.
This is a Trojan War-era set and the central figure of it is Achilles.
Achilles, considered the greatest warrior of Greeks, gets into a heated argument with King Agamemnon.
After being dishonoured by King Philip, Achilles leaves the battlefield.
After Agamemnon seduces the daughter of Apollo priest and refuses her return, the plague that struck the Greek armies is unleashed.
Achilles returns later to the fold, and famously kills Hector the Prince of Troy in front of city gates.
Paris, Hector’s younger brother and Achilles’s murderer, kills Achilles with an arrow.
This moment was immortalized in modern language, referring to the ‘Achilles heel’ as a point or weakness.
An engraving dating back to 1805 shows another scene taken from Iliad: The Meeting Of Hector And Andromache
Homer wrote The Odyssey, which also describes the Trojan Wars aftermath and Odysseus’ return home from battle.
Romans considered Virgil to be their most important poet. His earliest works include the Eclogues poems.
His Aeneid recounts the history of Rome’s founding and proclaims that the Roman mission is to civilize the entire world with divine guidance.
Virgil had a huge influence, and the Aeneid has served as the template for John Milton’s Paradise Lost.