Archaeologists discovered a spectacular ancient Roman mosaic along with two building foundations, dozens of pieces of pottery, and weapons at the old factory site near Great Central Street and Highcross Street in Leicester, United Kingdom.

The mosaic was found within the rooms of the Roman houses. It is said to contain elaborate patterns and designs. Archaeologists were also able to unearth pottery, coins, brooches, beads, hair pins, gaming pieces and manicure objects along with a decorated knife handle cast in copper alloy, which depicts a scene showing victims thrown to the lions in an amphitheatre.

According to the researchers the excavations revealed evidence for the homes of some of Roman Leicester’s wealthier citizens who lived just a short walk away from both the town’s baths, now at Jewry Wall, and forum, beneath what is now Jubilee Square.

The mosaic is believed to be one of the largest and highest-status Roman mosaic floors ever found in the city. The unearthed remains are believed to date to the end of Roman Leicester, when Anglo-Saxon migrants arrived from the continent and settled in the ruins of the Roman town in the 5th and 6th centuries AD.

(after University of Leicester, ITV, BBC News & Leicester Mercury)