Data from an Archaeological Recording at Grove Hill Farm and Oatley's Farm, Buckinghamshire, 2021-2022 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., Oxford Archaeology Ltd, COPA: Cotswold Oxford Pre-Construct Archaeology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1129144. 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: 4859
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1129144
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises of reports, images, spreadsheets, GIS data, site records and Harris matrices from a programme of archaeological recording commissioned by Fusion (the Contractor) and undertaken by COPA at Grove Hill Farm (Site code: 1C21GHFAR) and Oatley's Farm (Site code: 1C21OATAR) in Buckinghamshire during April 2021.
Project Summary
The archaeological recording comprised the investigation of two excavation areas at Grove Hill Farm (C25124 and C25125, measuring c. 0.83ha in total) and two areas at Oatley's Farm (C25135 and C25316, measuring c. 0.13ha in total). Following trial trench investigations the site was subjected to Fieldwork Change Control Forms (FCCFs) which set out the need for archaeological recording in advance of the HS2 Phase One Central Scheme of Works. The FCCFs summarised the results of preceding trial trench investigations of the site and established the scope, aims and potential contribution to the Generic Written Scheme of Investigation: Historic Environment Research and Delivery Strategy, as well as the objectives, techniques, deliverables and reporting mechanism for the archaeological recording.
The FCCFs and a Location Specific Written Scheme of Investigation (LSWSI) were prepared in accordance with the GWSI: HERDS, the Technical Standard: Specification for Project Plans and Location Specific Written Scheme of Investigation, the Technical Standard: Specification for Historic Environment Investigations, and relevant Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) standards (CIfA 2014a; CIfA 2014b). The FCCF and LSWSI detailed the scope and the methodology for the archaeological works.
The archaeological recording works covered four areas: C25124 (c. 0.77ha), C25125 (c. 0.06ha), C25135 (c. 0.09ha) and C25316 (c. 0.04ha), targeted on the prehistoric remains revealed at Grove Hill Farm and Oatley's Farm during the preceding trial trench investigation phase of works. The archaeological recording was required to further identify the location, extent, survival and significance of the remains of a later prehistoric pit alignment, a probably related subsidiary branch or extension of the pit alignment, and a possible Late Bronze Age pit identified by the previous trial trench investigations. The locations of the areas were selected to mitigate the construction impacts arising as part of the HS2 Phase 1 Central Scheme of Works. The archaeological recording was undertaken in March–April 2021.
Re-Use Value Statement
Given the identification of later Roman features within Area C25136, further analysis of the Roman features and pottery assemblage has the potential to contribute to additional GWSI: HERDS objectives.
Herds Objective Contribution
KC19: The Romano-British period saw the beginning of more established infrastructure network. Can we investigate the development of these routes, trackways and roads and the influence they had on landscape change?
A principal Roman road lies relatively close to the site. There is potential, e.g. through artefactual studies, to investigate what influence the road may have had on the development of the Roman activity.
KC21: Assess the evidence for regional and cultural distinctiveness along the length of the route in the Romano‐British period, with particular regard to the different settlement types encountered along the route.
Further analysis of the Roman pottery, in conjunction with the stratigraphic data, has the potential to inform on the nature of Roman activity at the site. Comparative analysis of the Roman remains with those from comparable sites within the region may contribute to the understanding of regional patterns in occupation and material culture.
