Roman Well Built from Recycled Timbers Discovered at Rolls-Royce Extension Site
A rare example of Roman-era recycling was unearthed during archaeological investigations on the site of Rolls-Royce's new extension at Goodwood.
- 28
- 8
- 6,000+
What Happened
Experts from Oxford Archaeology discovered the remains of a Roman well during a six-month investigation on the extension site. The well stood seven tiers high and was constructed from 28 timbers. Evidence showed that eight timbers had been previously used in buildings before being reshaped for the well lining.
“Discovering direct physical evidence on the site of our landmark new extension has been enormously exciting. Finds like this remind us that recycling is not a modern invention – it is a legacy of the ancient past, and one we are proud to continue here at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.”
8timbers
out of 28 total in Roman well
Why this matters
The discovery shows that recycling is not a modern practice, highlighting a tradition of reuse that Rolls-Royce continues today, while adding to the rich history of the area dating back over 6,000 years.
Terms in This Story
- dendrochronology
- Tree-ring dating method used to determine the year trees were felled.
- mortice
- A hole cut into a piece of wood to receive a tenon, forming a joint.
- tenon
- A projecting piece of wood shaped to fit into a mortice, forming a joint.
- Neolithic
- The later part of the Stone Age, characterized by the use of ground stone tools and the beginnings of agriculture.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.