Data from an Archaeological Recording at Chiltern Tunnel, North Portal, Buckinghamshire, 2021 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., INFRA Archaeology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1128380. How to cite using this DOI
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This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4752
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1128380
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection includes images, GIS data, reports, site records, and spreadsheets from archaeological recording at Chiltern Tunnel, North Portal, Buckinghamshire (HS2 Phase One). The work was carried out by INFRA Archaeology in February 2021.
The investigation focused on two areas, C21036 and C21037. While postholes and pits were uncovered, the majority of recorded features consisted of geological variations, tree throws, and root hollows. The identified postholes and pits suggest Bronze Age or Iron Age activity.
Project Summary
The aims of the Archaeological Recording as defined in the project plan were:
- To confirm and record the presence and extent of any surviving archaeological remains, in particular those relating to prehistoric and/or Anglo-Saxon settlement/agricultural activity and medieval/post-medieval activity.
- To provide further understanding of the undated features across the Site and establish a date for their use.
- To understand the impact of the later phases (medieval/post-medieval) of agricultural activity on those of an earlier date
The specific aims of each of the areas of Archaeological Recording were as follows:
- Area C21036: trial trench evaluation established the presence of a number of possible late Bronze Age–Iron Age or Anglo-Saxon and undated pits in Trenches 21 and 22. The Archaeological Recording will enable closer investigation of these pits and the potential for further associated remains within their immediate surroundings. The examination of further discrete anomalies of possible archaeological origin identified by the geophysical survey will also be afforded.
- Area C21037: the evaluation recorded a large undated pit in Trench 34, which was suggestive of a storage pit and contained evidence related to iron smithing. The Archaeological Recording will allow for the examination of the immediate area surrounding this pit in order to establish the presence/absence of potentially related features.
The recording also sought to contribute to the delivery of the following GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives:
- KC15: (KEY OBJECTIVE) 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?
- KC30: Identify the location and form of early and middle Saxon settlement and investigate evidence for land use in the period.
- KC31: Identify the location of Middle to Late Saxon settlement, explore processes of settlement nucleation and understand the development of associated field types and agricultural regimes.
- KC34: Undertake research and investigation into medieval manorial complexes. What was their origin, development and impact on the landscape?
- KC40 Identify patterns of change within Medieval rural settlement from the 11th to mid-14th century.
Re-Use Value Statement
Looking at the wider context of the results adds little to our understanding of Iron Age or early Medieval activity in the immediate area beyond noting its existence. There is little evidence for other sites of these dates within the immediate area although there is evidence for substantial Iron Age activity within the local region for example at Wellwick Farm located approximately 6.5 km to the northwest. It is probable that the limited evidence uncovered by the Archaeological Recording is indicative of short-term use/occupation of the site although it is not possible to determine what activity or activities were undertaken during the use of the Site. The results do however imply that Iron Age activity in the region was widespread and somewhat dispersed.
The archive presented here therefore offers little in terms of further analysis, however it is recommended that the pottery assemblage undergo radiocarbon dating as Iron Age pottery within the Chilterns region requires additional data publication, and would contribute to objective KC15. It is also suggested absolute dating being carried out on the environmental samples.
