ANCIENT coins, a bone fragment and a roof tile with a deer imprint are just some of the items unearthed during recent excavations at Chedworth Roman Villa.

The excavation at the North Wing area, which took place between August 17 and 28, formed part of a five year programme to help the Villa understanding the area so that it can be better protected and conserved.

Coins discovered are believed to be dated from the 4th Century and the roof tile which contained  roe deer prints is though to be 1600 years old.

During an excavation of the area last year, a fragment of cipollino marble from the Euboea Island in Greece, a mosaic floor and a bathing area described as plunge pool was discovered.

This year archaeologists further investigated the plunge pool and also found evidence of buildings in the villa beneath a 4th Century exercise room and changing area.

In 2012 Chedworth Roman Villa opened a new cover building for its West Range which allowed the villa’s principal rooms and mosaic floors to be properly protected and displayed to the public.

And it is hoped that as a result of the five year programme the villa will know enough about the items found in the North Wing so that a covered building can be built there.

Dr Martin Papworth who led the dig said: “We are learning more about the early villa. It is really to try to get enough information to get a covered building to try to show off these remains.

“We want to show off more of the site and show that we are better for the visitors.”