ARCHAEOLOGISTS who uncovered new mosaics at Chedworth Roman Villa hope that in the future, visitors will be able to see what lies under the ground in a three-dimensional laser-scanned image.

The five-year ‘Big Dig’ will be coming to an end on September 1. The project, which focused on the the northern range of the villa, has led to a better understanding of the history of the villa and the remains that have lain buried and unseen for decades.

Stunning mosaics from the late fourth century will be given a digital scan before being covered up again to be preserved underground.

It is hoped that the mosaics can be exhibited to the public in the future, but if this is not possible, a laser scan of the ground carrying these mosaics could be made viewable to the public.

National Trust archaeologist Nancy Grace, who led the five-year project with Martin Papworth, said: “We have found mosaics we were not expecting. In one area, the main hall, we did not know the mosaics were there at all.

“We also dug at the bath house last year, and found that they once had underfloor heating there.

“We have been excavating and revisiting sites archaeologists have done in the past. It is interesting to see how their interpretation differs. It has given us a better idea of the chap who lived here, probably very important because of the type of objects we have found, like marble from the eastern Mediterranean.

“The project is also about looking at the conservation of mosaics and ruins.

“We will cover them with a breathable membrane which stops roots going down and damaging it and puts the soil on top. In the past, they had put back the the wrong type of sand, so it sticks to the mosaics.

“Looking ahead to how the mosaics might be put on display, there is a feasibility study to see whether it is worth putting a building over them to have them exposed.”

Martin added: “We have found a lot more about how and the extent to which the building changed through time. It is the fine detail of how generations altered it and made it how it is.

“We understand better how underfloor heating works, we will have a better interpretation of the site.

“But we will put it all back down to grass because it is quite hard to keep the mosaics clean once uncovered.

“It has been a good opportunity for volunteers to get involved. So many people come here and love to see these things being uncovered.”