Why it matters: Suffolk has at least 65 villa sites, but only four have been extensively excavated in the 20th century. Nearly all are undesignated and at risk of damage from agriculture and heritage crime, meaning their history could be lost forever.
The big picture: Romans Unearthed is being rolled out by Suffolk County Council's Archaeological Service with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will investigate how the Romans shaped Suffolk's landscape nearly 2,000 years ago.
The details: The county council has received development funding of £169,830 from the Heritage Fund for a one-year development phase. This will enable them to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.
The project will include excavations and surveys on key villa sites which have yet to be fully examined using modern archaeological standards.
The project will actively involve volunteers, specifically providing training for people who do not have opportunities to engage in archaeology such as school children, young carers, children in care or leaving care, and mental health charities.
What they're saying: Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality, said: "This is an incredibly exciting project that will investigate and protect Roman villas in Suffolk, and give us further insight into life in the county over 2,000 years ago."
University College London, Institute of Archaeology is a leading project partner. Dr Stuart Brookes, Associate Professor and Fieldwork Tutor at UCL, said: "We're thrilled to be working with Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service to develop a new partnership model that will integrate community volunteers with our university excavation sites."
For context: Suffolk's Roman history is distinctive, with villas serving as high-status countryside residences alongside a network of contemporary roads and small towns. The project will also enhance and digitise archaeological archives from 20th century excavations, including site diaries and plans by Basil Brown who excavated the largest villa so far in Suffolk at Castle Hill, Ipswich in 1948-50.
The bottom line: Romans Unearthed represents Suffolk's most ambitious archaeological project in decades, combining professional expertise with community involvement to protect and understand the county's Roman heritage before it's lost forever.
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