EDO634 - Preston Roman Villa, Weymouth; excavation 1932

Excavated in 1932 by Lt Col Drew. It was found that the south wall of the building rested on Roman foundations. Traces of Roman foundations were also found under the north wall of the yard Within this enclosed area a number of sherds, fragments of roofing tiles, nails, Kimmeridge shale, tesserae and bronze were found, but previous excavation had made stratification impossible. At a depth of about 2ft a paving of limestone slabs was found, also part of a quern. In one place this paving overlaid the top course of the Roman foundations, thus post-dating the latter. A furnace was found; the stoke-hole being filled with Romano-British pottery. Beneath this paving a furniture leg of Kimmeridge shale was found. It appears that when the stream was diverted, the new course cut through the villa and more remains were encountered'. 10-20 yards south-west trial pits proved another range of buildings, probably running north to south. Other finds included Samian and New Forest ware, and wall plaster.