A routine archaeological excavation at a development site in Langport has uncovered a treasure trove of historical finds, including the remains of a Roman villa and a Bronze Age roundhouse.
The site, located on Somerton Road and covering approximately 0.58 hectares, has been under investigation since January 2025, with pre-development excavations underway as housing provider Abri prepares to deliver up to 100 affordable homes.
Among the earliest discoveries are post holes believed to be from a single roundhouse dating back to the later Bronze Age or early Iron Age, offering a glimpse into prehistoric life in Somerset.
The standout find is a Roman villa, thought to date from the late 1st century AD to the 3rd century. The villa featured six rooms and a corridor, with evidence of rainwater collection systems and drainage.
Archaeologists believe the villa was part of a larger farming estate, with surrounding structures including a corn dryer, barn, and numerous grain storage pits. These features suggest the site was used for both residence and agricultural processing.
Members of the public will have a unique opportunity to view the site and its discoveries during an open day on Sunday 31 August, running from 10am to 3:30pm. Visitors will be able to take part in guided tours around the Roman villa and view poster displays and artefacts recovered during the excavation. Experts will be on hand to explain how the findings fit into the wider story of Langport’s history.
Gavin Webster, Senior Land Manager at Abri said:
“These discoveries are a testament to the rich and layered history of Somerset. Each find adds a new chapter to our understanding of the region’s past and forms an important part of the work to document the history of the site before preparations begin to build new affordable homes for the community.”
The excavation work is being carried out by TVAS (South West) in Taunton, with oversight from Armour Heritage Ltd (Frome) and funding from Abri. Information gained during the post-excavation processes will culminate in a full report published by TVAS. It is standard practice for archaeological investigations to be thoroughly documented before any housing development proceeds, ensuring that discoveries are recorded and preserved prior to construction.
Sue Farr, Director at Armour Hermitage commented:
“The project has been made possible thanks to the positive collaboration between Abri, Somerset Council and the archaeological team. By ensuring that heritage considerations are embedded into the developer’s programme, important discoveries like this villa at Langport can be identified, investigated and fully recorded. This partnership between developer and archaeologist not only safeguards the past but also enriches our understanding of local history, offering new insights that can be shared with the wider community.”