Artefacts unearthed at site of car factory extension
More than 20,000 artefacts have been unearthed in a detailed archaeological survey carried out onthesiteoftheproposedextension to the Home of Rolls-royce Motor Cars at Goodwood. Children from Years 3, 4 and 5 at the neighbouringmarchceprimary School,wereinvitedontothesite to see the work at first hand.
Roman roof tiles, traces of human fingerprints, animal paw prints, pigs’ teeth and pottery shards (or ‘potsherds’) over 2,000 years old are among more than 20,000 artefacts unearthed in a detailed archaeological survey carried out on the site of the proposed extension to the Home of Rolls-royce at Goodwood.
Inmarch,2024,theluxurycar company secured planning permissionfromchichesterdistrict Council for a major expansion to itsmanufacturingplantandglobal headquarters. The company is seekingtosecureitslong-termfuture in the area with the largest investmentinthegoodwoodsite since it opened its doors in 2003.
The archaeological survey, which began in November 2023, was conducted by experts from Oxford Archaeology, one of Europe’s largest and longest-established independent archaeology andheritagepractices.asacharitableorganisation,italsoprovides educationalactivitiesaspartofits services. Children from Years 3, 4 and 5 at The March CE Primary School, which adjoins the Home of Rolls-royce, were invited on to the site to see the work at first hand. The team explained what archaeology is, its significance and methodologies, and the role archaeologistsplayinuncovering and interpreting the past.
Working in small groups, the childrenweretaskedtothinklike archaeologists, piecing together potsherds, some dating back to 200 BC, and examining a range of other discoveries. Out on-site, the archaeologists showed them evidenceofearliersettlementsin what is now Westhampnett, including roads and houses. This helps the children connect with theirhomearea’slonghistory–inspiring future career aspirations in some cases.
The artefacts are currently undergoing further study and cataloguing, to develop a more detailed picture of life in the area over the past two millennia. One early hypothesis is that the site was once used for metal-working activities. If confirmed, this would mean Rolls-royce is actually continuing a long but often overlooked industrial tradition in this part of southern England.
Throughout the process of preparing its planning application, Rolls-royce said it has been committed to transparency and positive engagement with the local community. In this spirit, the artefactswillbeplacedondisplay in a local venue later this year, allowing residents to gain new and fascinatinginsightsintotheplace they and Rolls-royce call home.
West Sussex has been inhabitedsincetheearlyoldstoneage, or Lower Palaeolithic period, around 500,000 years ago. Nearbychichesterwasfoundedbythe Romans,andfishbourneroman Palace, to the west of the city, is the largest Roman residence northofthealps.chichesterwas rebuilt and fortified by King Alfredthegreatinthe9thcentury: its magnificent Cathedral dates from Norman times. The Home of Rolls-royce itself stands on a corner of the Goodwood Estate, family seat of the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years.