An aerial photograph and a reconstruction drawing of this large villa are indicative of a large farming estate at Estrees-sur-Noye in the valley of the River Somme in northern France. The location is not far from the modern town of Amiens, which the Romans called Samarobriva in the province of Gallia. This area has been much surveyed by archaeologists in recent years, for the most part from the air using aerial photography, resulting in the revalation of in excess of one thousand such villas of varying sizes. There is a similarity in his villa and many others found in this area due to the climate and the purpose of the structures found.

The length of the walled courtyard which contained all the farm bildings is 385 yards long, and approximately a little less that half of that wide at it's widest point.

The aerial photograpghs show the outines of the buildings quaite clearly brcause the stone and mortar materials from the original walls have been brought to the surface by deep- plowing. In the aerial photograph a rectangle can be seen near the main gateway. I is surmised that this is the remains of a religous shine constructed for the use of the labors at the villa.

In the reconstruction drawing it will be noted that the building which was the master of the villa is set apart by wall and gateway and enjoys it's own garden area. Two large square areas in from of the main house structure mark these formal gaqrdens with a passasge way between which leads to an entrance structure tothe main house compound.

Anmother structure within the second walled area is indicative of some lesser personage perhapsm the manager of the farm. It too has gardens in front of the house divided by a center walkway. There are also basic foundations which might well have been cottages or dormatories for the farm workers. Other structures within this walled area suggest buildings for the housing of the different types of farm animals. Other structures stil,l were in all liklhodd meant for the storages of equipment and farm produce.
At the far end of the walled enclosure was a main entrance gate and gatehouse which served to keep the farm animals within given rea and also to provide some security for the villa.

The farm produce in Gaul was usually cereal grains with some vbineyards , but no olives. Farm animals were generally cattle and sheep for milk, butter, cheese, meat, hides and wool. Bone and horn were also valuable for the manufacture of artifacts, glue, and size. Goats were also found but in lesser quantity. Pigs were widely used for meat, lard, skin and bristle. Poultry such as ducks, geese, pigeons and doves werer also cultivated and provided eggs, meat, feathers, down and quills. Oxen were the main draft animals and mule breeding was a lartge farm indutry as well, Donkeys were used for vehicles and at time lighter farm implements. Dogs were raised also for hunting, herding, as watch animals and also as pets.

An important element of farm produce was , of course, manure together with the reidue from wine-making ws used to continually enrich the fields.

Aerial photo of the Villa

References:

• Percival, J, "The Roman Villa," London, Batsford, 1976;
• Percival, J, "The Villa in Italy and the Provices,"In J. Wacher, ed., "The Roman World" Vol. 2, Pages 527-547, London and New York, Routledge & Kegan Paul;
• Applebaumm, s,, "Animal Husbandry," In J. Wacher , ed., "The Roman Worls,"Volume 2,pages 504-526, Londo and New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul.