If the Romans could figure out recycling materials, we’ll figure out battery recycling

Archaeological work at the site of a planned extension to the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars facility in Goodwood, West Sussex, has uncovered evidence of Roman-era construction practices, including the reuse of timber in a well structure. The discovery was made during a six-month investigation conducted by Oxford Archaeology and adds to a broader record of long-term human activity in the area.

The remains of the well were identified in the later stages of the excavation, following earlier geophysical surveys and exploratory trenching. According to the archaeological team, the structure would have originally stood seven tiers high and was constructed using 28 individual timbers. Analysis of these timbers showed that a portion had been previously used in other applications before being repurposed for the well.

Eight of the recovered timbers displayed signs of earlier use, including mortices, tenons, and chamfered edges. These features are typically associated with structural woodworking and suggest that the materials were originally part of buildings, likely used as sill beams or vertical posts. After their initial use, the timbers appear to have been reshaped and incorporated into the lining of the well.

The presence of reused timber aligns with evidence from other Roman sites across Britain. Comparable findings have been documented in major Roman settlements such as York, Carlisle, and London, where construction materials were similarly repurposed. The Goodwood discovery indicates that this practice extended beyond urban centers into more rural or regional locations.

The timbers recovered from the site were located at the base of the well, an environment that would have remained waterlogged over time. This condition has helped preserve the wood, allowing for further analysis. Archaeologists plan to conduct dendrochronological testing on the samples, a method that involves counting tree rings to estimate when the trees were felled.

Additional analysis may provide insight into the tools used to shape the timber and could potentially allow researchers to reconstruct aspects of the original trees. This information may contribute to a broader understanding of woodland management and resource use in the surrounding area during the Roman period.

The Rolls-Royce site is located near Chichester, which was known in Roman times as Noviomagus Reginorum. The settlement was established in the mid-first century and remained in use until the early fifth century, when Roman rule in Britain came to an end. The name is generally interpreted as meaning “new market,” with “Reginorum” referring to the Regni, a local Celtic group allied with Rome.

In addition to the well, the excavation has revealed artifacts that date back significantly earlier than the Roman period. Evidence of human activity at the site extends to the Neolithic era, roughly between 4000 and 2200 BCE. Items recovered from this period include tools and pottery, suggesting that the area has been occupied or used by humans for several millennia.

Researchers are continuing to catalog and study the recovered materials to develop a clearer picture of how the site was used over time. One early hypothesis is that the location may have been associated with metal-working activities. If confirmed, this would indicate that the area had an industrial or craft-based function in addition to settlement or agricultural uses.

The archaeological findings are being incorporated into the planning and development process for the Rolls-Royce extension. The company worked with Oxford Archaeology throughout the investigation and has engaged with the local community by sharing information about the discoveries. Artifacts recovered from the site have already been displayed at a community information event.

Following further study, the materials are expected to be transferred to The Novium Museum in Chichester. The museum is located less than three miles from the Rolls-Royce facility and will house the artifacts as part of its collection, making them accessible to the public and providing additional context about the area’s history.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has operated its Goodwood facility since 2003. The site serves as the company’s global headquarters and its primary manufacturing location, where vehicles are designed, engineered, and assembled. The expansion project that prompted the archaeological investigation is part of ongoing development at the site.

The discovery of the Roman well contributes to an expanding understanding of the historical use of the land surrounding Goodwood. The combination of Neolithic, Roman, and potentially later-period activity reflects a long continuity of human presence in the region. Findings such as reused construction materials provide additional detail about everyday practices in the Roman period, including resource management and building techniques.