Data from a Construction Integrated Recording at Wendover Green Tunnel, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, 2022 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., INFRA Archaeology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5284/1119093. How to cite using this DOI
- HS2 Phase One: London to West Midlands Historic Environment Digital Archive
- Curated Collection: Kilns Through the Ages
- 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).
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 5010
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1119093
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises a digital archive of photographs, GIS files, scanned site records, and reports from the archaeological monitoring conducted by INFRA Archaeology at Wendover Green Tunnel between February and June 2022, with both phases of work falling under the 1C21ELRCI site code. The Construction Integrated Recording (CIR) uncovered the remains of a large Roman lime kiln with courses of faced chalk blocks surviving, which was recorded in 3D using Structure from motion (SfM). Other notable finds were a Neolithic pit with a Langdale polished stone axe head, a Roman pit with a first century military dagger, as well as a pit with a collection of varying types of loomweights.
Project Summary
Construction integrated recording (CIR) was undertaken at Wendover Green Tunnel between February and June 2022, with both phases of work falling under the 1C21ELRCI site code.
The general aims for the monitoring at Ellesborough Road were:
- To integrate the investigation and recording of archaeological remains into the main works programme, where it has not been possible to gain prior access for archaeological evaluation or recording (viaAT23/AT03).
- To ensure a rapid and adequate response including investigation, recording and reporting of archaeological remains that are exposed during construction.
The general aims the monitoring at Wellwick Farm were:
- To provide further understanding of the settlement features across the site and establish a date for their use;
- To confirm and record the presence, extent of any late Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement activity;
- To confirm and record the origin of the domestic activity across the site and its continuation through the periods;
- To confirm the presence of the likely medieval settlement activity in the central southern area of the site;
- To confirm the nature and extent of the likely medieval settlement activity; in the central southern area of the site; and,
- To understand the impact of the earlier phases of settlement activity on those of a later date.
Monitoring at Wellwick Farm also sought to contribute to the following GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives:
- KC10 Provide further understanding of the transition between a mobile pattern if settlement in the Early Bronze Age to the development of fixed settlement and enclosure, in the Middle and Late Bronze Age.
- KC15 Can we identify regional patterns in the form and location of Late Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement across the route, and are there associated differences in landscape organisation and enclosure?
- KC16 Investigate the degree of continuity that existed between Late Bronze Age and Iron Age communities in terms of population, mobility and subsistence strategies.
- KC18 Explore the evidence for increasing social complexity in the archaeological record in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, and to identify patterns of intraregional and regional variation.
- KC40 Identify patterns of change within Medieval rural settlement from the 11th to mid-14th century.
Monitoring at Wellwick Farm also sought to contribute to the following GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives:
- KC20 Investigate the changing nature of funerary rites in the Late Iron Age and Romano-British periods. What evidence is there that the adoption of new rites or changes in existing practices are the result of the movement of people, contact with new ideas, or even new religions?
- KC23 Identify evidence for late Roman occupation and attempt to identify any continuity in settlement patterns between the end of the Romano British period and the Early Medieval period.
- KC30 Identify the location and form of Early and Middle Saxon settlement and investigate evidence for land use in the period.
- KC32 Investigate the ethnic and cultural identity of Anglo-Saxon populations.
Re-Use Value Statement
The dataset created by the monitoring at Wellwick Farm has little potential for further research as no archaeological deposits were identified, however the relatively small sample size of the Ground Investigation pits should be noted.
At Ellesborough Road a range of features were identified ranging from the Neolithic to Post-Medieval periods, with the majority of activity dating to the Iron Age and Roman. It is recommended that there is a full assimilation of the specialist finds and sample data into the archive, alongside Harris Matrix refinement, so as to create distribution maps which potentially could identify activity zones. Additional suggestions include:
- Conservation of the metal dagger.
- Detailed analysis of the pottery assemblage, in particular the prehistoric and roman material.
- Further environmental analysis of several samples, including C14.
Any further research should include and pay respects to the results present by this dataset, particularly highlighting the integration of the Roman lime kiln results into any regional research.
