Parts of the site complex were excavated between 1983 and 1996 by a team led by Mark Roberts of University College London.

Numerous Acheulean flint tools and remains of animals (some butchered) dating to around 500,000 years ago were found at the site.

The ancient hundred of Boxgrove was listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as comprising nine settlements with 246 households.

The settlements were Aldingbourne, Halnaker, Strettington, Runcton, East Hampnett, Merston, Westhampnett and Upwaltham,[5] and Boxgrove village itself had 13 households.

There were three reasons for the prosecution: one was that it contravened a local bye-law; another reflected concern about church windows which may or may not have been broken; the third was the charge that "a little childe had like to have her braines beaten out with a cricket batt".