In 2020, a farmer’s son walking a lockdown field noticed unusual fragments and uncovered a 1,600-year-old Roman mosaic

A routine lockdown stroll in Rutland led to an extraordinary archaeological find: a vast Roman villa, unearthed by Jim Irvine. At its heart lies a unique mosaic depicting Achilles battling Hector, a testament to the wealth and education of its 3rd/4th century AD owners. The site, now legally protected, was carefully reburied to preserve its ancient treasures for the future.