Site and Post-Excavation Data from an Archaeological Excavation at Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, England, 2022-2023 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., Wessex Archaeology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5284/1126509. 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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- ADS Collection: 5934
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1126509
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises reports, images, a vector site plan, spreadsheets, GIS and photogrammetry data from an excavation at Drayton Bassett (Gallows Brook). Work was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on behalf of High Speed Two Ltd. between January and June 2022 and forms part of Phase One of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.
The mitigation exposed and recorded three burnt mounds with associated features, scattered pits, some of which are thought to be of Late Iron Age–Romano‐British date, field boundaries and possible drainage features. The earliest datable finds from the mitigation were worked flints of Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic date. The earliest securely dated features were several pits which contained a small amount of Late Iron Age–Romano‐British pottery. The mounds are similar in composition and location with others of Bronze Age date in the area, scientific dating will need to be undertaken to confirm this, however. The artefactual assemblage comprised a moderate amount of pottery, ceramic building material (CBM), stone, glass, metal, animal bone and wood. Of these, 98 sherds of pottery, one fragment of CBM and one metal object pre‐date the post‐medieval period. Environmental analysis indicates that the Drayton Bassett burnt mounds were formed of wood charcoal‐rich layers. Many of the pits, troughs and layers located around the burnt mounds similarly contained deposits rich in fire‐cracked stones and wood charcoal which probably reflects a combination of natural slumping, deliberate disposal into pits, and re‐use of the burnt mound over time. The waterlogged deposits suggest a damp/wet habitat which contained areas of standing/slow‐moving freshwater and some woodland/scrub. Indicators of disturbed, nutrient‐enriched ground are common, and these probably reflect human activity associated with the use of the burnt mounds over time (e.g., trampling, burning, disturbance, etc.). The monolith samples taken through the organic, silty layers suggest that these deposits were gradually deposited by water, and that there has been some mixing with material from the burnt mounds. Analysis of pits indicates high densities of charred plant remains with the observed cereal remains consistent with other Iron Age and Romano‐British settlements across central and northern England and suggesting that the area lies close to settlement of this date. The overall stratigraphic sequence is as well understood as it can be. Further stratigraphic analysis has no potential to enhance the understanding of the sequence of activity within the mitigation areas.
