Data from an Archaeological Recording at Newyears Green Mitigation, Hillingdon, 2020 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., Archaeology Wales, Wardell Armstrong Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5284/1119019. How to cite using this DOI
- HS2 Phase One: London to West Midlands Historic Environment Digital Archive
- Curated Collection: Kilns Through the Ages
Data copyright © High Speed Two Ltd. unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
2 Snowhill
Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4160
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1119019
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
![Working shot in [1097] cleaning. Area B.](images/DSCI0452.jpg)
This collection comprises site data (digital photographs, spreadsheets, specialist reports, scanned trench and context sheets, registers and drawings) from a programme of archaeological mitigation in the form archaeological recording undertaken by Archaeology Wales and Wardell Armstrong LLP on land at Newyears Green Lane, Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Work was undertaken between 17th August 2020 and 16th December 2020 ahead of construction works associated with High Speed 2. The site was split into three areas: A, B and C.
Project Summary
The archaeological mitigation formed part of Phase One of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project. The project was granted Royal Assent in 2017 as the High-Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act. Phase One of the project runs 230 km from Euston Station in London to Curzon Street in Birmingham.
The specific aims and objectives for the overall site were to:
- To expose any surviving archaeology, through the application of an archaeologically controlled topsoil strip using plant equipped with a toothless bucket.
- To archaeologically excavate and record all archaeological features within the mitigation areas, in order to clarify the nature, date, extent and survival of any remains revealed and thus contribute to understanding of their heritage significance. The mitigation will provide a permanent archaeological record for the purposes of contributing to specific GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives.
- To obtain dating and environmental evidence (where possible) through retrieval of artefactual and ecofactual evidence.
- To examine potential zoning of types of activity during different phases of use.
- To confirm how many phases of activity are present.
- To provide a secure chronological framework for the phases of activity through recovery of finds, supplemented by scientific dating.
- To examine the environment and economy of different phases through recovery of palaeoenvironmental and ecofactual information.
- To carry out post-excavation assessment and analysis of recovered material.
The general aims and objectives for Area A were:
- To enhance understanding of the potential small scale industrial medieval activity identified during trial trenching.
- To determine which types of industrial processes were being undertaken at the location in relation to the potential kilns identified during trial trenching.
- To establish the former route of the bridleway and its relationship with the area of industrial productivity and the dispersed medieval settlement, involving its function with the supply of resources.
The general aims and objectives for Area B were:
- To examine whether the character of activity can be identified; whether any focus of settlement is present, or if the ditches, pits and other features present characterise agricultural use.
- To explore the relationship of the ditches with the features identified to the north in Area C.
- To determine whether the activity in Area B could be related to the industrial activity found in Trench A14.
- To enhance understanding of the potential small scale industrial medieval activity identified during trial trenching, and examine whether pottery production was occurring at, or near the mitigation area.
The general aims and objectives for Area C were:
- To examine whether the character of activity can be identified; whether any focus of settlement is present, or if the ditches, pits and other features present characterise agricultural use.
- To explore the relationship of the ditches with the features identified to the south in Area B.
- Can activity in Area C be related to the industrial activity found in Trench A14.
- To enhance understanding of the potential small scale industrial medieval activity identified during trial trenching, and examine whether pottery production was occurring at, or near the mitigation area.
Re-Use Value Statement
The evidence from Newyears Green represents at least five phases of activity on the site, relating to the Late Bronze Age, Romano-British, medieval, post medieval, and modern periods. In particular groups of features relating to the Late Bronze Age, Romano British and medieval periods are likely to relate to archaeology within the wider vicinity of the site.
However, due to the nature of the evidence excavated from Newyears Green, in particular the evidence of industrial activity during the medieval period, a programme of further work is recommended. It is understood this that this programme will be suggested at a later date.
The dataset should be considered together with the dataset from 1S19NYGTT Newyears Green Trial Trenching.
GIS data and the final reports have been uploaded to ADS directly by HS2. The physical archive is currently being stored by Archaeology Wales and will be deposited in a repository specified by HS2 in the future.
