North wing mosaic (Roman) - Nine Square mosaic and hypocaust - There are only a few piece of this late 1st c mosaic as most of it was destroyed when the hypocaust was built. The hypocaust was built in AD270's but the Palace burnt down before it was finished and floor laid. The furnace would have been at the end of the central flue beyond the wall. The hot gases from the furnace would have tra
velled along the central flue to the central chamber, around the columns, along the diagonal flues leading to the corners of the room, then up, through hollow box-tiles, to a chimney or vents on the roof.