Early history of the village

There is evidence of occupation during the Roman period. It is stated in several works of reference that 'Fragments of a tessellated pavement were found here in 1839 and in 1858 were discovered the foundations of a Roman building which appears to have been of considerable magnitude.' A Roman corn drying kiln has been discovered recently. Various Roman coins have been turned up from time to time, and a walk across the fields of the parish can often result in the finding of sherds of Roman pottery. The statements of the 1800s about Roman remains points to the possibility of the existence of a Roman villa similar to those discovered at Harpham and Rudston.