Data from a Test Pit and Trial Trench Evaluation at Dews Farm, Colne Valley, South Embankment, Hillingdon, 2019-2022 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., MOLA Headland Infrastructure, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1124339. 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).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
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Birmingham
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United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4713
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1124339
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection includes text, site photographs, CAD data, spreadsheets, site records and Harris matrices from a test pit and trial trench evaluation carried out by MOLA Headland Infrastructure at Dews Farm, Colne Valley, South Embankment, Hillingdon between 2019 and 2022.
Project Summary
The archaeological evaluation at Dews Farm, Colne Valley, South Embankment has been divided up into three phases. Phase 1 consisted in the excavation of 28 trenches and 4 test pits in C10019, two test pits were excavated in C10034 and C10035. Phase 2 of the evaluation consisted of 32 trenches excavated in the north of the Site. Phase 3 comprised 24 trenches in three locations within the evaluation area: Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre (and the walled garden to its east); Hillingdon Field, adjacent to Harvil Road; and Dews Farm, Dews Lane.
Phase 1 evaluation identified Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic artefact scatters and possible associated structures. The evaluation might have identified a migration of settlement activity from the valley base to the slopes in the late Mesolithic. Late Iron Age settlement activity was identified but overlain by alluvial floodplain deposits dated from the Roman to post-medieval periods. There was also evidence of Late Bronze Age and Late Iron Age enclosure within the floodplain and Late Iron Age land enclosure upon the northern terrace. Medieval ditches, probably boundaries of fields, were identified in the east of the area, close to Harvil Road.
Phase 2 and 3 identified a mixed assemblage of Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age flint, representing scattered remains across one area rather than providing evidence of a settlement. Limited evidence of mobile and fixed Bronze Age activity was recovered in the Colne Valley. Bronze Age and Iron Age features were identified. Features dated or suspected to medieval were found in the north of Hillingdon Field, including a structure formed of post holes and beam slots, a small pit, and a ditch. It is not yet possible to confirm the presence of a settlement, but the presence of charcoal and iron working slag suggests some form of industrial activity within the immediate or wider vicinity. Medieval ditches were identified in the east of the evaluation area close to Harvil Road. The ditches were probably the boundaries of agricultural fields marking ownership and could be related to a possible medieval settlement.
Re-Use Value Statement
This archive can be used independently and/or in in conjunction with the rest of HS2 datasets in order to further investigate the archaeological features, finds assemblages, and periods unearthed on this route. This can also function as a guide to digital archiving for future infrastructure projects benefiting both the commercial sector and the research community.
