Rockbourne
Roman villa in West Park, 4 km NW of Fordingbridge, discovered in 1942 and excavated in 1943-44 and since 1956. The buildings were grouped around a large courtyard, measuring at least 75 m NE-SW and with a maximum width of 60 m NW-SE; the fourth (NE) side has not yet been located. The gateway was in the SW side and the main residential buildings, including two bath suites and three mosaic pavements, flanked the W angle; the buildings on the SE side were of a simpler character and incorporated several corn-driers.
Four periods of occupation have been distinguished, from ca. A.D. 100 to the late 4th c.; many parts of the villa were altered, but the complete sequence of development has not been worked out. The villa is notable for the richness and variety of the finds, including a carved stone sideboard, stone finials, two reused milestones (Trajan Decius and Tetricus), many brooches, and much small metalwork. These are preserved in a museum on the site, which itself is open to inspection. The size and richness of the villa suggest a large estate, and a link has been suggested with the 38.4 ha Roman enclosure, with three corn-driers, which lies 4.8 km to the N on Rockbourne Down.
BIBLIOGRAPHYH. Sumner, Excavations on Rockbourne Down, Hampshire (1914); H. C. Bowen in A.L.F. Rivet, ed., The Roman Villa in Britain (1969) 47; A. T. Morley Hewitt, Roman Villa, West Park, Rockbourne (1971).
A. L. F. RIVET