Data from an Archaeological Recording at Wendover Green Tunnel, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, 2020-2022 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., INFRA Archaeology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5284/1120962. How to cite using this DOI
- HS2 Phase One: London to West Midlands Historic Environment Digital Archive
- Curated Collection: Homes of Iron Age and Romans
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: 4976
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1120962
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images, documents, spreadsheets, photogrammetry and GIS data from Archaeological Recording at Wendover Green Tunnel, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, 2020-2022. This work was undertaken by INFRA Archaeology on behalf of HS2 Ltd. as part of Phase One of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.
Project Summary
The general aims of the Archaeological Recording across the Site were provided in the Project Plan and were as follows:
- To confirm and record the presence/absence, extent and depth of archaeological deposits
- To confirm and record the presence and extent of the graveyard and human remains
- To confirm and record evidence for domestic activity
- Determine the range, quality and quantity of artefactual and environmental evidence present
- Provide a comprehensive record of archaeological remains evidence in the subsoil
The recording also sought to contribute to the following specific Historic Environment Research and Delivery Strategy (HERDS) objectives:
- KC5: Identifying settlement location and developing models for the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Early Bronze Age
- KC8: What were the patterns of movement in populations from prehistory to the present day? Did the origins of individuals contribute to social and cultural identity? Can this be defined across time and space?
- KC15 (Key Objective) Can we identify regional patterns in the form and location of Late Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement across the route, and are here 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
- KC32: Investigate the ethnic and cultural identity of Anglo‐Saxon populations
Reuse Value Statement
This site presents a dense Prehistoric landscape and a nationally important 5th/ 6th Century Anglo-Saxon cemetery consisting of 138 graves with grave goods. The results of these archaeological findings indicate that the site has the potential to inform some specific aspects of the ‘future research aims’ that have been outlined in the archaeological research framework for Buckinghamshire.
The majority of the proposals for future work comprises analysis of the archaeological finds and data collected and are listed below.
- Full assimilation of the specialist finds and sample data into the archive which will include the production of distribution maps as required to demonstrate concentrations of certain materials which will potentially allow zones for different activities of different dates to be identified.
- Full analysis of the lithic assemblage and the linking of this information to any geospatial data to allow for analysis of the spatial and contextual distribution of the material.
- A detailed analysis of the Prehistoric pottery fabric and rim forms in relation to other, similar, ceramic assemblages from the region in order to reveal any chronological insights and technological/ typological similarities or differences.
- Strongly recommended that the nationally important Anglo Saxon ‘window urns’ are published in a suitable academic journal to some extent.
- Further conservation and investigation of some of the burial goods, particularly several of the Iron and Copper Alloy objects.
- A more detailed analysis of the Iron Age faunal remains.
- It is recommended all human remains, including the cremations, undergo a full analysis. Absolute radiocarbon dating for up to 20 individuals from the 5th‐6th century and undated inhumations is recommended, as well as a number of individuals selected for stable isotope analyses in order to better understand diet and mobility patterns.
