Roman villa with stunning mosaic is found as workers prepare site for new Aldi supermarket
Oxford archaeologists have unearthed what they believe to be a Roman villa which features a stunning mosaic under a site earmarked for a new Aldi supermarket.
A bathhouse, which featured beautiful red, white and blue tiles, was discovered on Warrington Road, Buckinghamshire.
The Olney site is currently being prepared for the construction of a brand-new Aldi supermarket.
Archaeologists said the mosaic featured ‘vibrant colours and intricate decorative patterns’ made up of red, white and blue tiles’.
Oxford Archaeology carried out the work for develop Angle Property and was commissioned due to the site’s proximity to another existing Roman site, according to the BBC.
Oxford archaeologists have unearthed what they believe to be a Roman villa under a site earmarked for a new Aldi supermarket
A bathhouse which featured beautiful red, white and blue tiles was discovered
Materials have been placed over the brickwork to protect the relics and allow construction to continue without causing damage
The group deem the mosaic ‘archaeological remains of high significance’.
It is believed much of the ancient remains extend under Warrington Road, the digl team said.
The archaeologists said that following talks with Historic England and Milton Keynes Council, the mosaic has been preserved in situ.
Materials have been placed over the brickwork to protect the relics and allow construction to continue without causing damage.
Oxford Archaeology carried out the work for develop Angle Property and was commissioned due to the site’s proximity to another existing Roman site
Senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology, John Boothroyd, told the BBC: ‘Due to the site location we anticipated some notable Roman remains, but the discovery of this fantastic mosaic far exceeded those expectations.
‘To be able to preserve remains of this quality and importance is a brilliant outcome, and one that could only have been achieved with the support of Angle Property.’
There are currently 992 ALDI locations in the UK.