Data from a Trial Trench Evaluation at Grove Farm, Small Dean North Embankment, Buckinghamshire, 2019-2021 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., INFRA Archaeology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5284/1119343. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © High Speed Two Ltd. unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4338
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1119343
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises site data (digital photographs, reports, GIS, spreadsheets, scanned trench and context sheets, registers and drawings) from a trial trench evaluation by INFRA Archaeology at Grove Farm, located between Great Missenden and Wendover, Buckinghamshire, targeted on the site of the Small Dean North Embankment and the Wendover Green Tunnel. The evaluation, comprising 69 trenches (16 descoped), was undertaken during February 2019.
Project Summary
The evaluation forms part of Phase One of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, which will involve the construction of a new railway approximately 230km (143 miles) in length between London and the West Midlands. Powers for the construction, operation and maintenance of Phase One are conferred by the High-Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017.
The aims of the trial trenching were to:
- Confirm the presence/absence, extent and depth of any surviving archaeological remains within the site;
- Determine the nature, date, condition, state of preservation, complexity and significance of any archaeological remains;
- Determine the likely range, quality and quantity of artefactual and environmental evidence present;
- Suggest measures, if appropriate and feasible, for further archaeological investigation to mitigate identified significant impacts.
The trial trenching was required to help clarify the location, extent, survival and significance of any heritage assets in the vicinity of Grove Farm and will contribute to the following specific GWSI: Historic Environment Research and Delivery Strategy (HERDS) objectives:
- KC15: Can we identify regional patterns in the form and location of Late Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements across the route, and are there associated differences in landscape organisation and enclosure?
- KC33: Investigate the development of water mills from the Anglo Saxon through to the modern period. How did the technology of milling change, and what implication has this for farming practice?
- KC35: Investigate the impacts on rural communities of social and economic shocks in the mid-14th century and thereafter and their contribution to settlement desertion.
- KC40: Identify patterns of change within medieval rural settlement from the 11th to mid-14th century.
Of the 55 trenches excavated, 18 revealed features, including several pits, ditches and postholes, and a possible palisade, with a concentration of activity to the west side of the centre of Site. The character of this activity was not fully ascertained during the evaluation due to the dearth of finds throughout the area, however it may be indicative of a yet undated settlement. Further investigation is recommended to identify the extent of the potential settlement activity, and the data from this archive can be used in order to inform an appropriate mitigation strategy both at this site and similar nearby interventions.
Re-Use Value Statement
The results of the archaeological evaluation identified a scatter of mostly undated features including pits, ditches and postholes, with a concentration of activity to the west side of the centre of Site. The character of this activity was not fully ascertained during the evaluation due to the dearth of finds throughout the area, however it may be indicative of a yet undated settlement. Further investigation is recommended to identify the extent of the potential settlement activity.
The trial trench evaluation has demonstrated areas of archaeological activity in specific areas of Site and its data can be used in order to inform an appropriate mitigation strategy both at this site and similar nearby interventions.
