- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars undertakes detailed archaeological survey on the location of its proposed extension
- Conducted by consultants from Oxford Archaeology, considered one of Europe’s largest and longest-established unbiased archaeology and heritage practices
- Children from Years 3, 4 and 5 at neighbouring March CE Primary School invited to change into ‘junior archaeologists’ for a day
- Artefacts discovered through the survey can be shared with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ neighbours later this 12 months
“As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrates 120 years of the marque in 2024, we look back to the distant past, of the place we call home, and reflect on how we are a small part of the long history of Westhampnett. This archaeological survey, conducted as part of the due diligence for our recent planning application, is providing new insights into the fascinating story of the area surrounding us. It was a particular pleasure to welcome children from The March CE Primary School; as well as discovering more about the hidden world around them, they were greatly inspired by the Oxford Archaeology team’s amazing work, with a number telling us they’re now considering it as a future career! We look forward to sharing these artefacts with our neighbours later this year.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Roman roof tiles, traces of human fingerprints, animal paw prints, pigs’ tooth and pottery shards (or ‘potsherds’) over 2,000 years outdated are amongst greater than 20,000 artefacts unearthed in an in depth archaeological survey carried out on the location of the proposed extension to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is keenly conscious of the richness and significance of the native space’s historical past. The survey, which started in November 2023, was carried out by consultants from Oxford Archaeology, considered one of Europe’s largest and longest-established unbiased archaeology and heritage practices. As a charitable organisation, it additionally gives instructional actions as a part of its providers. Children from Years 3, 4 and 5 at The March CE Primary School, which adjoins the Home of Rolls‑Royce, had been invited onto the location to see the work at first hand. The staff defined what archaeology is, its significance and methodologies, and the position archaeologists play in uncovering and deciphering the previous.
Working in small teams, the kids had been tasked to assume like archaeologists, piecing collectively potsherds, some courting again to 200 BC, and analyzing a spread of different discoveries. Out on-site, the archaeologists confirmed them proof of earlier settlements in what’s now Westhampnett, together with roads and homes. This helps the kids join with their house space’s lengthy historical past – inspiring future profession aspirations in some instances.
The artefacts are presently present process additional research and cataloguing, to develop a extra detailed image of life within the space over the previous two millennia. One early speculation is that the location was as soon as used for metal-working actions. If confirmed, this might imply Rolls-Royce is definitely persevering with an extended however typically neglected industrial custom on this a part of southern England.
Throughout the method of making ready its planning software, Rolls-Royce has been dedicated to transparency and optimistic engagement with the local people. In this spirit, the artefacts can be positioned on show in a neighborhood venue later this 12 months, permitting residents to realize new and engaging insights into the place they and Rolls-Royce name house.
West Sussex has been inhabited for the reason that early Old Stone Age, or Lower Palaeolithic interval, round 500,000 years in the past. Nearby Chichester was based by the Romans, and Fishbourne Roman Palace, to the west of town, is the most important Roman residence north of the Alps. Chichester was rebuilt and fortified by King Alfred the Great within the 9th Century: its magnificent Cathedral dates from Norman instances. The Home of Rolls-Royce itself stands on a nook of the Goodwood Estate, household seat of the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years.
