Rolls-Royce site yields prehistoric settlement, Roman-era burial

An early settlement, dating back to the prehistoric and early Roman eras (around 6000 BC-AD 43), was unearthed at the Rolls-Royce site in Filton, Bristol.

The settlement was brought to light during trial trenching, part of infrastructure improvements at the site. This process aimed to ascertain the presence of any archaeological remains before commencing groundworks. AOC Archaeology Group spearheaded the work, supported by AECOM.

Archaeologists identified a double-ditched enclosure marking the settlement’s northern boundary. Additionally, numerous post holes and pottery fragments were uncovered.

These findings suggest the existence of at least one, possibly several, simple structures within the settlement. The rudimentary nature of the ceramics points towards a community living in modest conditions, relying on locally available resources for survival.

Findings reveal a small agro-pastoral settlement with an intriguing burial site

The settlement was likely surrounded by post holes associated with various enclosures and featured a number of pits, along with a small enclosure possibly used for housing animals.

This aligns with existing knowledge suggesting Fauld was likely a small, agro-pastoral settlement where inhabitants practiced animal husbandry and farming to varying extents.

Perhaps most captivating is the evidence of a burial site situated just north of the settlement’s edge. The remains are believed to belong to an individual from the Roman era when the surrounding area was inhabited.

The burial appears to be a simple, nondescript grave. Due to its solitary nature, archaeologists speculate that this individual might have been an outsider.

The human remains, along with other findings, are currently undergoing processing and cleaning by an archaeological team. Local museums will eventually house the artifacts and remains.

Ground remediation uncovers significant archaeological finds at Filton

George Mitchell, Vice President, Infrastructure, UK&I Early Lifecycle Defense, expressed his fascination with the discoveries. He noted that the unearthing of the prehistoric settlement and the buried human remains has captured the imagination of his team.

“It was during ground remediation work – which includes cleaning to remove any pollutants that have built up over decades of engine building and testing – that the remarkable discoveries were uncovered,” he said .

Daniel Lock, Group Property Programme Executive, highlighted how such archaeological findings enrich the heritage of the Filton site. He revealed that the Filton site had even endured the challenges of World War II.

In the press release , he added, “The team in Bristol are now looking forward to building on this momentum and continuing to upgrade and invest in the future of the site.”

Work was temporarily halted in the affected areas to enable a comprehensive assessment. The experts have shared a site plan and various images, expressing their enthusiasm for documenting and excavating the site to a satisfactory standard.