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Port Talbot's Pompeii: Astonishing Roman Villa Unearthed
12 Jan
Summary
- Largest Roman villa ever found in Wales discovered beneath parkland.
- Discovery offers unparalleled information about Wales's national story.
- Villa features potential mosaics, underfloor heating, and sculptures.
Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of the largest Roman villa ever discovered in Wales, located beneath parkland at Margam Park, near Port Talbot. Described as "Port Talbot's Pompeii," the "amazing" discovery was made during geophysical surveys investigating the area's heritage. The villa's scale and preservation are described as unmatched in the region.
The team, led by Swansea University, anticipates finding mosaics, underfloor heating systems, and high-status sculptures. This significant find could profoundly alter perceptions of Roman Britain, particularly in South Wales during the late third and fourth centuries. The villa likely served as a center for dining, entertainment, and projecting wealth and power.
The site's location within an ancient deer park suggests high preservation levels, as the land has not been subjected to agriculture. The villa sits within a 43x55-metre defended enclosure, possibly indicating an earlier Iron Age settlement or Roman-era defensive measures. Further exploration is expected to reveal much about this important historical center.
