Dyson Perrins Laboratory - Central Administration - University of ...

Dyson Perrins also possesses substantial association value. The building has been fitted witha plaque by the Royal Society of Chemistry, noting it as a ‘national historic chemicallandmark.’ During its tenure as Oxford’s centre for organic chemistry, it was at the forefrontof chemistry research globally and amongst the four heads of the Dyson Perrins Laboratoryare numbered: three knights (Robinson, Jones, and Baldwin); one Nobel laureate (Robinson);two Presidents of the Chemical Society (Perkin and Jones); two Presidents of the RoyalSociety of Chemistry (Jones and Robinson); a President of the Royal Institute of Chemistry(Jones); four Davy Medals; two Royal Medals (Perkin and Robinson); and a Medal ofFreedom (Robinson). As made clear by the Royal Society’s plaque, as the setting for thework of a century of the leading figures in the field of organic chemistry, the laboratory’sassociation value is considerable.3.4 Archaeological SignificanceNo archaeological features or artefacts have ever been found in the location of the DysonPerrins Laboratory, this is despite deep foundations being dug for the 1939-40 and 1956-58extensions. That being said, the Science Area was the setting for an extensive rural Romano-British settlement, whilst there is nearby evidence for Bronze Age Barrows, Mediaeval ridgeand furrow, Civil War earthworks, and post-mediaeval field boundaries. 29Whilst there have been no recorded finds or features from the site of the Dyson PerrinsLaboratory itself, the wealth of nearby archaeological material and the historic occupation ofthe area suggests that there may be significant material, with potential evidential value,preserved on the site.29 Oxford Urban Archaeological Database; available online:http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1799525&resourceID=964, accessed26.04.2012.The Dyson Perrins Laboratory, Oxford 32Conservation Plan, May 2012