An Antiques Roadshow presenter has found the remains of an ancient Roman site under his own patio.
Marc Allum, 52, began digging up the back garden at his 15th-century vicarage in Chippenham, Wilts, hoping to find a few items of local historical significance.
But instead, he found the remains of a Roman site complete with various pieces of pottery, 4ft deep and just 20ft from his back door.
Mr Allum and the small team of local archaeologists he had roped in to assist him, also found a Samian Ware bowl made in France, which has images of a gladiator and a lion on it.
The valuation expert said he had been hoping to find the remains of an encampment used by King Alfred The Great.
But the Roman haul – which he thinks is the edge of a massive Roman cemetery – dates back approximately 2,000 years.
He said: “I got talking to some local archaeologists and decided to start digging.
“That point in…
