Discoveries in the Isle of Wight have thrown doubt on the dating of Roman villas. Apparently this villa was built in the third century, but would have been dated to the fourth on the basis of the mosaics.

Here is an extract from Isle of Wight Today:
There is now overwhelming evidence that the villa dates from the third century, not the fourth as originally thought from the style of the mosaics.

This revision of its date has repercussions for other prominent Roman sites, which have been dated from the style of their mosaics.

"Our findings have even surprised experts like me but it is clear that basing a date on the style of mosaics is a false way of doing things," said Mr Trott.
Read the article here.