A depiction of the stonesfield or stunsfield mosaic. The mosaic was probably first made in the 3rd or 4th century, although one account reports coins from the reign of vespasian at the site. The full estate was about 190 by 152 feet. After its rediscovery in a field at chesthill acres by the tenant farmer george handes or hannes in 1711 or 1712, the mosaic was repeatedly damaged by oxford students, scholars, and their guests. It was further damaged by the elements, members of the general public who refused to pay to see it, and during disputes between handes and subsequent tenants with their landlords richard fowler and others, until it was finally divided among three landowners in 1806 and recorded as completely destroyed at the site in 1807 (1, 2. 3) or in 1858 (4). Notes: "this mosaic was destroyed soon after its discovery in the eighteenth century" [sic]. The engraving includes several annotations that are not explained by the website. Date: 1736.
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