THREE years of archaeological excavation near Minety have resulted in Roman discoveries said to be ‘of significant historical value’.

The work, led by heritage and archaeological services organisation Cotswold Archaeology, has seen the uncovering of two Roman tile kilns at Brandiers Farm.

According to Cotswold Archaeology, the discovery is fundamentally altering understanding of Roman industrial activities in western England, particularly in relation to tile-production and the supply of building materials for the creation of the city of Corinium (modern-day Cirencester).

Photos by © Cotswold Archaeology (Rosanna Price) and © Cotswold Archaeology (Caroline Adams) - for all 32 photos, see our picture gallery.

The Brandiers Farm site has offered up the remains of a Roman tilery, including one well-preserved kiln and what looks to be an earlier kiln positioned alongside.

Considerable quantities of Roman tile have also been found.

Tiles stamped with makers’ markings have been recovered, indicating the organised production of tiles at the site (possibly by a number of tile-manufacturers or contractors).

More than 160 stamped tiles have been found, more than doubling the known examples from the region.

Several of the identified stamps were also previously unknown, adding to the historical record.

The kilns and stamps offer insight into the organisation of tile-production in Roman times.

Most tiles discovered marked with ‘TPF’ were used in Corinium, highlighting Brandiers’ significant and previously-unknown role in supplying building materials to the Roman city.

Before these excavations, the origin of Corinium’s building materials was believed to be Oaksey Park.

“This discovery suggests more extensive and organised industrial activity in the region than was previously understood,” a spokesperson for Cotswold Archaeology said.

“The findings provide evidence that Minety was also a significant supplier of construction materials for other large urban centres and public buildings in western England, altering previous assumptions about local Roman industries.”

The Brandiers Farm site is owned by the Lavery family, who have applied to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a living museum with an educational remit.

Although this is the final season of Cotswold Archaeology fieldwork at the site, the family will be taking the project forward themselves, with plenty more to come.