Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group

What’s Happening as we move from 2025 into 2026?

During 2025 we are focused on a number of projects and activities.

1) We commissioned a study of pottery sherds found when the Norton Disney Roman villa was excavated in 1934 and 1935. These sherds have lain undisturbed since then in boxes at Newark Museum for 90 years. This report is now available to read from our website. (Click on archaeological reports). It offers new insights into the villa, particularly the period of occupation now potentially lasting until 5th Century. During the winter 2025- 2026 we are undertaking work with the museum in Newark to re catalogue those finds using the knowledge gained from the report.

2) During the spring of 2025 we were surveying areas of Norton Disney in preparation for our summer excavation. 

3) The first two weeks of June 2025 our group was excavating with our team of volunteers. Finds are processed and a report is expected on the excavation in January 2026

4) We are planning to return to site in June 2026 to re excavate a Roman kiln site and explore areas not previously excavated.Within this multi period landscape William Stukeley passed through in September 1722 and is the first person to make observations of the archaeology present in the form of a landscape drawing and written comments when he described in Itinerarium Curiosum “there is a high barrow or tumulus called Potter Hill, where they say was a Roman pottery”. We hope to confirm William Stukeley’s observations from over 300 years ago..

5) Currently we are trying to raise money to cover the costs of our June 2026 excavation. If you would like to contribute please contact us through the website.

6) The Norton Disney dodecahedron is currently on display at the University of Nottingham Museum (Lakeside Arts Centre). It is  on display there until 18th January 2026. The exhibition is entitled: “The Norton Disney Dodecahedron, It’s discovery and excavations”.  More details here 

7) Time Team released  YouTube episodes of the Norton Disney excavation filmed in October 2024 between 5th and 7th September 2025.

Episode 1 here:

Episode 2 here

Episode 3 here