AFTER centuries lying submerged under the site of a popular park, work will begin tomorrow to explore the ruins of an ancient Roman villa.
Volunteers and members of the Wanstead Parkland Communities Project (WPCP) will be clearing undergrowth from a 260 X 164 foot site in Wanstead Park on February 22 in preparation for a radar scan that will reveal the ruins of a 4th century AD villa that lies buried underneath.
Evidence of Roman settlement on the site was first discovered in the 18th century, when workmen landscaping the grounds of Wanstead House discovered a mural of the god Bacchus riding a panther.
The site lay ignored and concealed by undergrowth until the 1960s when amateur archaeologists unearthed pottery shards, coins, and even evidence of flues used as a part of an under-floor heating system, indicating the sumptuous wealth of ancient villa’s inhabitants.
The Corporation of London would need a very strong case to be made for allowing further excavation of the site, as it has a duty to protect the buried archaeology, but the radar scan will allow archaeologists to build a three dimensional picture of the submerged ruins.
Richard Arnopp, of WPCP, said: ““There were probably a string of these big Roman houses and estates along the river Roding. Evidence has been found of a cemetery for wealthy Romans in Valentines Park in Ilford.
“We know the villa is there but not how big it is. This is a very exciting opportunity to develop our knowledge of Wanstead’s history.”
Recently WPCP used new LiDAR laser technology to gain a clearer picture of the features of the park beneath the undergrowth, which provided clues about the land’s ancient use, but now want to explore beneath the earth itself.
Mr Arnopp said: “We're not intending to seek permission to excavate in the near future, but The radar survey should provide us with enough evidence to decide whether whether that might be worthwhile to consider in the future.
“There are other nearby areas we would like to survey over the next few months with a range of geophysical techniques. As well as Roman activity, we're interested in finding further evidence of Bronze Age settlement on the Plain.
“I would say to people thinking of coming along and helping that this is their chance to help discover something important about Wanstead’s history.”
The group will be meeting at 10am at the kiosk in Wanstead park and those interested in helping out are asked to call Richard Arnopp on 07740 529378.
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