Archaeological dig reveals "stylish" Roman life
1 Jul 2008, 1525 Hrs

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London, July 1 (ANI): A TV archaeology team has unearthed one of the "best preserved" Roman towns in Britain, which reveals the "stylish" lives of the affluent Roman race.

According to a report by BBC News, a bath house, villa and artefacts including a penknife were found at Caerwent, Monmouthshire by Channel 4's Time Team.

What are believed to be shop buildings on a Roman high street were also found during the dig by a team of 50.

The three-day excavation at the Roman site, close to the modern day village, involved Wessex Archaeology and volunteers from the local Chepstow Archaeology Society.

Seven different trenches were dug up at three different locations, aimed to uncover more about parts of the town which had previously never been excavated.

A temple, baths and forum in the centre of town and another plot in the north west were discovered.

Long thin buildings were also found in several places, believed to be shop buildings on the high street.

In the north of the town, what is believed to be a Roman villa was unearthed which the team believed had painted walls and mosaic on the floor showing that wealthy people lived in the suburbs.

Nearby, a bath house was discovered, possibly belonging to the villa.

A penknife's hilt, made out of bone depicting two gladiators fighting was unearthed.

Other artefacts uncovered included coins, glass, ceramics, human and animal bones, lead patches used for repairing and bits of mosaic.

Archaeologists will now reinstate the earth and cover up all the walls and all finds will go to the National Museum of Wales and an archaeological report will be published.

According to Tom Scott, a member of the archaeological team, "We've discovered some interesting things and originally we didn't know people lived all over the town - especially in the north west part - but, discovering the villa and bath house, it seems as if they did - and in some style too." (ANI)