Roman Villa at Southwick

Abstract

IT is announced that the Roman villa at Southwick has been given to the Sussex Archæological Trust with the object of ensuring its preservation. The villa is one of a chain of Romano-British buildings, probably farms, on a four-mile belt of fertile land south of the Downs, the others being at Kingston, Portslade, West Blatchington, and Brighton. The site has been excavated by Mr. S. E. Winbolt and others, with the aid of the Sussex Archæological Society. It was found to consist of a triangular block of buildings enclosing a courtyard approximately 200 ft. by 130 ft. The chief rooms are on the north side, where they are protected from the wind by the Downs; while verandahs on the sunny side face the sea. The buildings are solidly constructed, with walls 2 ft. and 3 ft. thick, and consist of rubble cores faced with flint. The site is at present unfenced; but as soon as funds have been raised, the northern portion containing the main buildings, which unfortunately is separated from the southern by the new road, will be fenced and reconditioned to enable the public to be admitted at a small fee. The Trust, to which the site has been handed over, was formed in connexion with the Sussex Archæological Society for the preservation of the ancient monuments of Sussex, and already holds in trust Lewes Castle, Wilmington Priory, the Long Man of Wilmington, the Marlipins at Shoreham, and Oldland Mill at Keymer.