Scarborough Roman villa: Councillor hopes site could become future tourist attraction

The layout of this type of villa has never previously been found in Britain and it is thought it could even be the first example to be uncovered in the whole of the former Roman Empire.

Archaeologists and experts have said they have never seen anything like this discovery before; and that a circular central room is unusual and of particular interest.

The remains were found by archaeologists beneath a building site for a housing development last year, before work stopped due to coronavirus, and have kept it secret for more than a year and a half.

Remains of 'high-status' Roman villa and bath-house never seen before in Britain discovered beneath building site in Scarborough

Inspector of ancient monuments Keith Emerick said that due to the fragile nature of the stones uncovered they would be "recorded, conserved and then reburied."

Scarborough Roman villa: Trespass at significant ruins 'inevitable' say Historic England

Though it is not the first time Roman discoveries have been made on the Yorkshire Coast.

Scarborough Roman villa: History of the Romans on the Yorkshire Coast

In a meeting of Scarborough Council's cabinet today, which discussed the councils strategy to encourage tourists back to the borough, a councillor revealed his thoughts on the site in Eastfield.

Cllr Tony Randerson, an Eastfield ward councillor, said he hoped that the villa could become an attraction in the future.

He added: “We have always been known as Britain’s first resort, clearly we were also the Romans' first resort as well.”

IN PICTURES: Amazing aerial views of Scarborough Roman villa hailed as world first