Account in Wire's diary, 1848, notes that during the sewerage works in Long Wire Street extensive remains of a Roman villa were discovered. "Two hypocaust flues entire were found at a depth of 6ft but it appears that more remains are under the footpath and houses on the east side of the street". Observation was difficult as the method of trenching by sinking trenches 3ft wide at 4ft intervals and tunnelling through the intervening thickness. It produced large quantities of Roman roof tiles, fragments of bricks, septaria and mortar. The remains reached the passage leading to Smith's buildings where some fragments of embossed Samian Ware was found associated with charred wood. Flue tiles discovered close to three hypocaust arched fire places, built of tile. They were covered up again "except the last which was partly destroyed by trying to get one of the tiles out for me". <1> <2> Other ref. <3> <4> <5>