Creature comforts from conquerors
Lullingstone Roman villa
The Romans brought new technologies to England. They were the first people to construct buildings in this country with stone foundations, tiled roofs, timber framing, plaster work, mosaic floors, and even central heating.
The Lullingstone villa was built around 80 AD and it lasted until the 4th Century. Over the years the owners rebuilt and added to their home. They added a heated bath block and a dining room with a fine mosaic floor
Hot water for bathing
The bath suite to the south of the villa featured the usual range of cold, tepid and hot rooms and plunge baths supplied with water from a well beside the bath rooms.
The most luxurious period in the villa's history began around A.D. 330 when the house was extended to include a dining-room and reception room, both with elaborate mosaic floors.
Buried in a lead-lined coffin
Behind the villa on a terrace, a circular pagan temple was built early in the second century, and a square-domed temple-mausoleum was set up about A.D. 300. This became the final resting-place of a young man and woman.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 21 January 2007
