LECTURERS have been left puzzled by the discovery of a ten-foot mural which has been uncovered during renovation work at a university.

The mystery mural, depicting a Roman scene in a courtyard with statues and fruit, has been discovered by workmen completing changes to the South Wing of Buckinghamshire New University’s campus.

The colourful mural is 10-feet by five-feet in size and was painted on to a wall on a staircase at some stage.

But the wall was subsequently covered over, before being discovered during the current work, which is due to be completed in September.

Jake Kaner, Professor in Furniture, said he believes the mural could have been painted as far back as the 1950s and is appealing for past students to get in touch in hope they can shed any light on its history.

Prof Kaner said: “Much of the mural is of a high standard and we will definitely be keeping it.

“I think it may have been painted by students studying for an interior design qualification in the 1980s but it could date as far back as the 1950s.

Our thoughts have turned to the 1980s as this was a period when people were particularly interested in classical architecture and it was popular for them to have murals such as these, so a student may have been influenced to create it.

“It would be nice to put some ownership to the mural and who knows perhaps whoever did create it could pop in to see us and take a look at how it has stood the test of time?”

Contact Prof Kaner via jake.kaner@bucks.ac.uk with any information about the mystery mural.