Data from an Archaeological Excavation at Chetwode Mill, Buckinghamshire, 2022 (HS2 Phase One)
COPA: Cotswold Oxford Pre-Construct Archaeology, Cotswold Archaeology, High Speed Two Ltd., 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1135502. 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).
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 5040
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1135502
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises image, text, spreadsheet and GIS data from Construction Integrated Recording at Chetwode Mill, Buckinghamshire. The work was undertaken by COPA: Cotswold Oxford Pre-Construct Archaeology between May and July 2022 in advance of the construction of Chetwode Embankment and associated assets.
A watermill at Chetwode is recorded in the Domesday Book (complied in 1086), as part of an earlier Anglo-Saxon estate which developed after AD 949 to support the burh at Buckingham. Excavation revealed prehistoric, medieval, post-medieval and modern activity, truncated by 1940s demolition. An undated ring ditch, of probable prehistoric date, was truncated by postmedieval quarrying. A residual Mesolithic mace head was recovered from the quarry backfill internal to the ring ditch. Two intercutting ditches of 13th–14th century date represent the earliest evidence of watermill features. Three timber beams set in clay packing, of tentative 16th-17th century date, form the corner of a structure likely supporting a waterwheel. The final phase of 13th–14th century ditcheswas backfilled with clay in the 16th-17th century, likely forming the foundation platform for a structure, of which there are no surviving remains. A stone retaining wall was later added to the platform fronting the mill race. The final phase of watermill structures was constructed in the late post-medieval period, defined by the substantial mill race walls. The surviving building remains, constructed predominantly with stone and occasional Ceramic Building Material, were heavily truncated by 1940s demolition. Two rooms survive centrally to the building plot identified on historic mapping, dating to the 18th century onwards.
Project Summary
The general aim of this work was to identify the character, extent, quality, preservation and significance of any surviving archaeological remains present within Area C25147 in order to inform an archaeological resource assessment of its knowledge value and ability to contribute to specific objectives set out in the Generic Written Scheme of Investigation (GWSI): Historic Environment Research and Delivery Strategy (HERDS). The general aims can be set out as following:
- To confirm the presence/absence, extent and depth of any surviving archaeological remains within the Site, particularly those associated with the post-medieval Chetwode Mill and any evidence for a preceding medieval structure;
- To determine the nature, date, condition, state of preservation, complexity and significance of any archaeological remains;
- To determine the likely range, quality and quantity of artefactual and environmental
Re-Use Value Statement
The location, extent, survival and significance of any heritage assets of archaeological interest on this site have been captured in this dataset. This can inform future research into the archaeology and practices within the site and surrounding landscape, but also for the county as a whole.
