It was identified by geophysical survey in July 2013 and partly excavated between November 2014 and February 2015.

[1][2] The villa was discovered in 2013 by a geophysical survey of the site in advance of construction of the Bedale, Aiskew, and Leeming Bar bypass.

[2] There was no prior indication of a villa at this site and Peter Rowe, North Yorkshire's County Archaeologist described the discovery as "a surprise, it was a shock".

[3] Only a small part of the villa complex was excavated during this scheme, with over 95% of it reportedly left undisturbed.

[3] It was constructed over a pre-existing field system and an enclosure dating to the late Iron Age to early Roman period.