3-066-149 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Recent excavations at the Roman Villa, Brading, Isle of Wight: The Well-House, 1881. 'At a distance of 6 ft. 5 in. from the west side and 4 ft. 9 in. from the east is a well, 4 ft. 3 in. in diameter. This well, shaft, or pit, was completely filled up with loose earth and debris. The "steining," if there ever had been any, had given way. But the well was sunk through the upper green sand, and the sides were firm and hard. It has been necessary to "stein" the upper five feet with bricks, to prevent the top soil falling in, while the excavations were progressing. During the clearing of the contents a large number of red tiles, of various sizes, large and small, worked stones, pottery of various kinds, nails, shells of oysters, cockles, limpets, and snails, bones of domestic animals, and the skeleton of a man, were exhumed. At the bottom, as at present ascertained, three charred oak stakes were taken out. The majority of these interesting objects have been now arranged for public inspection in the small temporary museum on the site'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.