Romans Unearthed: Suffolk’s Hidden Villas is a new project led by Suffolk County Council’s Archaeological Service (SCCAS) with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project will offer groundbreaking research on Suffolk’s Roman villas, revealing untold stories from nearly 2,000 years ago of how the Romans shaped Suffolk’s landscape following the Boudican rebellion in AD60. Suffolk has at least 65 villa sites in the county, only four of which have been extensively excavated in the 20th century, including by Basil Brown. Very few have been investigated to modern standards.
Romans Unearthed will include excavations and surveys on key villa sites which have yet to be fully examined, in partnership with University College London Institute of Archaeology.
The project will enhance and digitise the archaeological archives held by Suffolk County Council, relating to 20th century excavations of Roman villas, including site diaries and plans by Basil Brown who excavated the largest villa so far discovered in Suffolk at Castle Hill, Ipswich in 1948-50.
Development funding of £169,830 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help SCCAS progress their plans over the next year, which will enable them to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.
Starting October 2025 to October 2026, SCCAS will undertake consultation and trial sessions to develop project plans that will actively involve local community groups, such as school children, young carers, children in or leaving care, and mental health charities, to directly investigate the Roman archaeology of Suffolk.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
Romans Unearthed: Suffolk's Hidden Villas is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.