Site Data from an Archaeological Excavation at Park Street Burial Ground, Birmingham, West Midlands, 2018-2019 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., MOLA Headland Infrastructure, Headland Archaeology Ltd, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1129193. 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.
2 Snowhill
Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 5643
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1129193
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises reports, site photos, spreadsheet data, vector survey data and an archive decision record from an archaeological excavation at Park Street Burial Ground undertaken by MOLA Headland Infrastructure on behalf of High Speed Two Ltd. Work was undertaken between July 2018 and May 2019 and forms part of Phase One of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.
Project Summary
Archaeological mitigation works were carried out at the former Park Street Burial Ground (in use 1810‐94) by MOLA-Headland Infrastructure (MHI) on behalf of High Speed 2 (HS2), prior to the construction of HS2 Curzon Street Station.
The Project Plan identified several objectives which were relevant to the excavation:
- KC1. Refine understanding of the Palaeolithic potential of deposits beyond river valleys.
- KC40: Identify patterns of change within medieval rural settlement from the 11th to mid‐14th century.
- KC42: Develop sampling strategies to examine and compare the origin and degree of mobility in the 18th and 19th century urban and rural populations.
- KC43: Investigate the link between the development of the railways and broader changes in the historic landscape, such as urban settlement expansion and the decline of the canal network.
- KC100: Creation of an ancient DNA database.
- KC101: Cemetery management and burial practice.
- KC102: Health, disease and pollution in 19th‐century populations.
- KC103: Burial grounds and their place in the cityscape/landscape both in use and disuse.
- KC104: People and Place: Park Street as a snap‐shot in time of a growing industrial city.
- KC106: Appraisal of methodological approaches to human remains.
- KC109: Develop an understanding of the historical context surrounding evidence of post‐mortem intervention, including human dissection and autopsy in 19th century burial grounds, with particular reference to Park Street Burial Ground.
Excavation was focused on a sub‐rectangular portion of urban parkland, with an approximate area of 0.6ha (6725m3). This parcel of land is situated to the east of Park Street and divided centrally by Fazeley Street into North and South Areas.
This excavation has revealed that each side of the site was distinct in terms of stratigraphy and archaeology. Generally, both areas demonstrated pre‐burial ground archaeology, 19th‐century burials and numerous layers of overburden. However, the North Area demonstrated several layers of made‐ground holding multiple phases of burial, whilst all burials in the South Area were cut directly into natural geology. The North Area had a relatively disorganised burial ground layout and the occasional intercutting of burials, alongside a single brick tomb. Conversely, the South Area had a well organised burial ground layout with very distinct grave cuts and little intercutting of burials, alongside multiple and varied brick burial structures. Both sides of the park had been subject to landscaping in the past, with each half demonstrating considerable overburden.
In total, 4,327 19th‐century burials were archaeologically recorded during these works, with 2,010 from the North and 2,317 from the South. There was a further exhumed burial count (not archaeologically recorded) of 4,152. There were 36 funerary structures recorded during excavation. Of these, one was discovered in the North Area during cofferdam monitoring with the remainder located in the South.
Within the archaeologically recorded burials, 45 skeletons demonstrated signs of dissection or autopsy, with 43 of these recovered from the North Area. The human remains were recorded alongside a variety of burial furniture, including depositum plates, grip plates and grips. Personal artefacts were also encountered including dentures, clothing, jewellery and household goods. Some items had clearly been deliberately placed with the body for religious, superstitious or sentimental reasons.
The archaeology recorded during the recent works at Park Street has greatly increased our understanding of 19th‐century Birmingham and its people. The combination of inhumations and associated goods recorded during the excavations has allowed a rare glimpse into a town at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, as well as product manufacture and funerary traditions. The recovered material has the potential to reveal more following further analysis.
Re-Use Value Statement
Re-use value is extensive and further work is suggested. This includes further osteological and artefactual analysis, and historical research.
