It is believed a Roman Villa or fort existed on the hill top and various items have been found to support this.

Bulmers Directory notes, "This monument, the inscription tells us, was erected by Valerius Vindicianus to the memory of his wife, Titia, who died at the age of 38, and of his two sons Valerius Adjutor and Variolus, who died at the ages of 20 and 15 respectively.

Vindician was probably the occupant of the Roman villa, to which the bath and tesselated floor above mentioned belonged; and that whilst in command of the fort or camp here he lost his wife and two sons."

Early Ordnance Survey maps show the deemed location of the Sarcophagus.

Media related to Ness, North Yorkshire at Wikimedia Commons