strange objects that were discovered in an ancient villa; From “curse tablets” to miniature axes
This residential complex was built by the Romans during the British occupation and is nearly two thousand years old. The mysterious objects found in this villa were probably used in certain rituals.
According to Faradid, archaeologists while excavating an ancient site in England, discovered a complex of Roman villas with rich decorations. This area contained strange artifacts such as miniature axes and scrolls that may have been used in rituals. According to a statement from the Red River Archeology Group (RRAG), which organized the dig, the site is located in the village of Grove, about 60 miles west of London, and has been inhabited since the Bronze Age.
The newly discovered complex, built during the Roman period in Britain, includes several hall-like corridors dating from the late 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
Lewis Stafford, senior project manager at RRAG, said: “The size of the buildings that still remain and the richness of the wares found in them suggests that these were dominant features in the area, if not the wider landscape.”
The villa has a main hall that connects several rooms. According to Francesca Giarelli, this villa was probably built before the neighboring buildings, which were larger structures and perhaps added to as the wealth of the owners increased. One of the buildings in this complex probably had multiple levels and was so magnificent that it was probably visible for miles.
In addition to their size, these structures are impressive due to their complex decorations. Buildings were embellished with painted plaster, mosaics, ornate tiling, columns, brick floors and other decorations, says Jennifer Nalwicki.
A treasure trove of artefacts including brooches, rings, coins, dinnerware and a belt buckle decorated with the image of a horse were found in these excavations. According to the statement, researchers think the belt buckle, which dates back to 350-450 AD, probably belonged to a Roman elite. These works prove that the Romans occupied this area in the 4th or 5th century BC.
“This site is much more complex than a typical village site and has clearly been an important center of activity for a long time, from the Bronze Age to the Roman period,” says Giarelli.
During the reign of the Roman Empire in Britain from AD 43 to about AD 411, villas were not just residences. They were small administrative centers. Villa dwellers were usually responsible for road maintenance, crop management, and food storage.
The details of the lives of the residents of the villa are vague. Researchers still do not know what happened to those people, but they think that this complex must have had a cemetery. Some of the strange objects discovered during excavations provide clues about the spiritual practices of the inhabitants.
The researchers found a strange collection of lead scrolls tightly wrapped. After being flattened, these scrolls looked like Roman “cursing tablets”. Cursed tablet is a thin sheet of lead metal on which a text in Latin was engraved and in this text a request to the ancient Roman or Greek gods for the destruction of the enemy was written and then this tablet was hidden under the soil, well or somewhere else.
In this area, several miniature votive axes were also found during the excavations. These axes resemble a collection of miniature weapons that were once found in the village of Uley and are believed to have been dedicated to gods such as Mercury.
