RARE mosaic and painted plaster uncovered at Chedworth Roman Villa has revealed, for the first time, how the Roman villa might have been decorated and hints at its exceedingly high status.

The discoveries come from what appears to be builders rubble when an early bath house was partly demolished and rebuilt into a later bath house. The rubble was used by builders to raise the floor level of the new room.

Archaeologists think that the rare mosaic pieces, which are thinner and smoother than usual, were used to decorate the wall of the bath house.

National Trust archaeologist Nancy Grace said that it was unusual to find wall mosaics in roman architecture on British land.

She said: “The possible wall mosaic is continental influence, hinting at the high quality status of the villa. It is all about status and showing off.

“Our discoveries held build up a picture that whoever was here was very important, they may have been someone of significance.”

The five-year archaeological project, which is in its third year, has also found fourth century painted plaster fragments hinting at a beautifully painted wall.