Time Team Season 7 Episode 2 Cirencester: The Mosaic at the Bottom of the Garden

In Time Team season 7 episode 2, titled "Cirencester: The Mosaic at the Bottom of the Garden," the team travels to Gloucestershire to excavate a backyard in the town of Cirencester. The homeowner, Alex Gow, had discovered a mysterious mosaic in his garden and contacted Time Team to find out more about its origins.

The team quickly gets to work uncovering the mosaic, which they discover is much larger than initially thought. The intricate design includes images of a dolphin, a cupid, and other mythological creatures, leading the team to believe it was likely a part of a grand Roman villa. This theory is supported by the fact that Cirencester was a major Roman settlement in Britain, known as Corinium Dobunnorum.

As they dig deeper, the team begins to uncover other intriguing artifacts, including pottery and a copper-alloy pin. They also discover the remains of a hypocaust, an underfloor heating system commonly used in Roman buildings. The presence of the hypocaust further supports the theory that the mosaic was once a part of a grand villa.

However, not everything is straightforward. The team faces various challenges, including overcoming the unusual shape and steep slope of the garden, as well as dealing with unexpected rain. Additionally, they encounter difficulty in determining the age of the mosaic, with some suggesting it may be from the 2nd century AD and others thinking it could be from the 4th century AD.

Despite these challenges, the team perseveres and is ultimately able to uncover fascinating information about the history of the area. They reveal that the villa likely belonged to a wealthy Roman family and was a center of commerce, art, and culture in the region. Additionally, they discover evidence of how the villa may have been connected to the larger Roman road network.

"Cirencester: The Mosaic at the Bottom of the Garden" is a captivating episode of Time Team that showcases the team's skills in uncovering secrets of the past. The discovery of the mosaic and other artifacts sheds light on the rich history of Cirencester and the important role it played in Roman Britain.