Roman settlement in Tangmere is no surprise - Sussex is rich in Roman history

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
News that archaeologists uncovered evidence of a 14 hectare Roman Setllement in Tangmere will come as no surprise to anyone who’s read up on village history.

The village is just a mile south of Stane Street, after all; a Roman road linking Chichester (then known as Noviomagus Reginorum) with London via a route now followed rather closely by the A24, A29 and A285.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tangmere itself is believed to date back to the Saxon era; around 680AD, when King Caedwalla granted some ten acres of land to the church. By 1086, Tangmere was recorded in the Domesday book as having a population of 160, with the stone church of St Andrew built shortly after the Norman Conquest. The building incorporated pieces of Roman bricks, as well as fragments of pre-Norman carved stone, although the presence of an ancient yew tree on the site suggests it had spiritual significance for a long time before that.

In 2016, analysis of lidar and aerial photography lead to the rediscovery of a long-lost Roman road connecting Chichester with Arundel, which may well have run through land near Tangmere. According to an article published by Historic England, leading experts, including Ivan Margary, who secured the preservation of the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, had speculated about the existence of the road for decades.

Photos taken in August 2022 on land in Tangmere earmarked for the 1,300 homes in August 2022 during an archaeological digPhotos taken in August 2022 on land in Tangmere earmarked for the 1,300 homes in August 2022 during an archaeological dig
Photos taken in August 2022 on land in Tangmere earmarked for the 1,300 homes in August 2022 during an archaeological dig

Modern technology revealed traces of the speculated road along 8km of the 15km between Chichester and Arundel. It’s believed likely that the road followed Stane Street to a point just north of East Hamnpnett before branching off along what became Old Arundel Road, which meets the A27 as it sweeps in from the South West between Boxgrove and Tangmere.

Related topics: