Avalon Archaeology has announced the completion of a Roman-style mosaic floor within its Roman Dining Room reconstruction, a labour of love that took five years and was crafted entirely by a team of volunteers.

Unveiled on 4 November, the mosaic was meticulously assembled from 140,000 hand-made stone and tile cubes, or tesserae, crafted using techniques and tools that mirror those of Roman artisans.

Nearly 25 volunteers dedicated themselves to this project, spending two years fashioning each individual tessera from local stones, including white, blue, and grey lias, yellow Doulting stone, and red tiles. Using a hammer and a "hardie" — a tool resembling an upright chisel embedded in a block of wood — the volunteers replicated ancient methods with exacting care. Every week, a small team worked on the mosaic, adding to a "best of Roman Somerset" design inspired by Roman villa mosaics excavated around the county.

"I had always wanted to create a mosaic, so was delighted to be involved, but I didn't think that I would still be working on it four years later," said Martin Day, one of the volunteers, sharing the sense of pride and commitment felt by the team.

Key elements of the design, from an elephant to a dolphin, draw from Roman villas such as Whatley, Hurcot, and Lopen. Each section pays homage to a different mosaic found in Somerset, with the elephant motif adapted from Whatley Roman villa near Nunney. This smaller-scale interpretation reflects British interpretations of Roman designs, showcasing a distinctive local take on an exotic animal. The mosaic also features a trompe l'oeil pattern inspired by a villa in Newton St Loe, intended to trick the eye into seeing different shapes — a technique popular in Roman art. A colourful guilloche border, based on a pattern from Hurcot villa, completes the intricate floor design.

"The finished result is a great testament to the dedication of the volunteers, who have produced a work of art despite having no prior experience," said Richard Brunning, project lead and archaeologist, acknowledging the commitment of the Avalon Archaeology team.

This monumental effort was made possible through support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which enabled Avalon Archaeology to open to the public in 2023, giving visitors a unique glimpse into Roman craftsmanship and architecture.

The mosaic is now on display and can be viewed every Sunday at Avalon Archaeology. Visitors are also invited to experience the Roman Dining Room reconstruction in full festive spirit on 15 December for the Saturnalia celebration, one of ancient Rome's most celebrated festivals. More details about the site and upcoming events can be found on the Avalon Archaeology website.

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