Academics have uncovered what is believed to be the largest Roman villa in Wales, hidden beneath a deer park in Port Talbot. The discovery, made using ground-penetrating radar in Margam Country Park, suggests the area was a significant agricultural centre rather than a remote outpost of the Roman Empire.
Alex Langlands, associate professor at Swansea University and project lead for ArchaeoMargam, described the find as a 'lifetime discovery'. The villa, measuring 43 metres by 55 metres, includes a substantial building that may have served as a granary or meeting hall. Langlands noted that the site changes the historical narrative of Wales during the Romano-British period, which has often focused on military conquest.
The villa's high level of preservation is attributed to the land's history as a deer park, which protected it from intensive ploughing. Floor surfaces and wall foundations appear intact, raising hopes for further insights. The exact location is being kept secret to prevent illegal digging by 'nighthawkers'.
Langlands said the villa may date to the fourth century, comparable to luxurious villas in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset. The discovery fills a gap in knowledge about the Romano-British period in the region, previously known for Bronze Age, Iron Age and medieval heritage.
