Data from Trial Trench Evaluation Work at Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands, 2019-2023 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., MOLA Headland Infrastructure, Headland Archaeology Ltd, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1124631. 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).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
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Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 5639
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1124631
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises image, report, site record, spreadsheet and CAD data from trial trench evaluation work at Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands which was undertaken by MOLA-Headland Infrastructure and Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd between 2019 and 2023.
Recording for this project comprised a mix of traditional paper records and digital recording (Codifi). Paper records have been digitised, with the data entered in Microsoft Excel. The digitally recorded data has been combined with the data from the paper records, however Portable Document Format of the data have been provided within the digital archive.
Project Summary
In 2019 MOLA-Headland Infrastructure (MHI) undertook an evaluation of circa 210 hectares of land at Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands, in advance of this land being used for the construction of High Speed Rail 2. This evaluation, which was preceded by desk-based research and non-intrusive survey, opened 298 trenches along the route. A total area of 29,800 metres squared, approximately 2 percent sample of the evaluation area, was trenched. The evaluation demonstrated that the majority of the evaluation area was dominated by the remains of medieval to post-medieval ridge and furrow and associated field boundary ditches. Large areas of the evaluation showed extensive levels of modern made ground, likely associated with construction of nearby major roads. A small number of isolated pits were also excavated, one of which produced Late Bronze Age pottery and a small quantity of heat affected stones. However, in the northern half of the evaluation area, in Area B, a small group of medium sized pits in a linear arrangement was revealed.
A total area of approximately 2000 metres squared was opened as an additional area of evaluation to further investigate the area around the pits; revealing them to be part of an east-west orientated pit alignment. The pits ranged from between 0.50 metres and 2.00 metres in diameter and the alignment extended for a length of nearly 100 metres. Toward the west, the alignment was seen to change from a single row to a double row of pits. No artefacts were recovered from any of the fills, however, environmental samples were taken and some material suitable for Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating was recovered. Based on the morphology of this feature it is likely of Bronze Age or Early Iron Age date.
Further work was undertaken in 2020 by Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd, comprising an evaluation of circa 7.25 hectares of land. A total of 17 trenches were opened, revealing 2 agricultural ditches, one of which was modern and the other undated. The partial remains of a post-medieval or modern smithy were also identified.
Re-Use Value Statement
The Site produced limited dating evidence, therefore the dating suggested for those of the features which did contain finds should be treated with caution. Most of the features were sterile of any datable finds; tenuous dating could be applied based on their association with the dated features, the majority, however, could represent any period from prehistoric to post-medieval.
The pit alignment is likely the most significant result of the evaluation. Evidence from site provides very little insight into its date or function, although environmental material may be suitable to provide a date.
Some material recovered from environmental samples from the basal fills of the pits has been assessed as being suitable for AMS dating. As the suggested date range of the features likely falls within the Hallstatt Plateau, this may not be able to refine the date of the features beyond the currently estimated date range of Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. The application of carbon 14 wiggle match dating (WMD) may assist in further refining a date range.
Regular furrows, as part of a ridge and furrow cultivation system, were identified across all areas except for Area B. After furrows, boundary and drainage ditches were the most common feature found within the target area. During the evaluation, three agricultural features, interpreted as the remains of a ridge and furrow system, contained pottery. One furrow contained a sherd dating to the early 13th century, whilst two furrows contained 17th century pottery. This is consistent with the HS2 Environmental statement (ES), where several linear features thought to represent agricultural practice were identified. The presence of these features appears to demonstrate that the land has been under continuous agricultural use from as early as the medieval period.
In conclusion, there appears to be very little re-use value from the results from the initial evaluation.
The 2020 evaluation revealed no evidence to contribute towards objectives KC5, KC9, KC30, KC31, KC33, KC34, KC 35 and KC40. Evidence from the smithy uncovered in Trench 282 may be able to contribute towards objective KC52, although the remains appeared to more likely date from the modern period than the post-Medieval. The limited view of this structure also does not allow for detailed analysis of the architecture of the building.
