As the HS2 – a high-speed railway line – is being constructed through parts of England, archaeologists working with the project have uncovered many medieval and ancient remains. The latest discovery is a burial site in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries AD.
A team of around 30 field archaeologists from INFRA JV, working on behalf for HS2’s Enabling Works Contractor, Fusion JV, completed the fieldwork in 2021, at the site which they knew was in use over a long period of time. Evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity was all discovered but it was the presence of the early medieval burial ground that was most significant for the archaeologists working on the site. The site contained 138 graves, with 141 inhumation burials and 5 cremation burials – one the largest Anglo-Saxon burial grounds ever uncovered in Britain.
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“As we near the end of our archaeology field work on Phase One of HS2, we are just at the beginning of our understanding of how the discoveries will improve our historical knowledge of Britain,” explains Mike Court, Lead Archaeologist for HS2 Ltd. “The archaeological finds made at this site in Wendover will not only be of interest to the local community but are of national importance, providing a valuable insight into life in Anglo-Saxon Britain.”
Remains and grave goods from the burials in Wendover – photo courtesy HS2
Altogether, the discovery included over 2,000 beads, 89 brooches, 40 buckles, 51 knives, 15 spearheads and 7 shield bosses.
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Many of burials were found with two brooches on their collarbone, indicating that they would have been holding up garments such as a cloak, or a peplos – a long garment worn by women with shoulder brooches. The brooches vary in style – some were disk brooches made with gilt, or coin brooches made of silver. A pair of small square-headed brooches were excavated – a miniature form of the great square-headed brooch, such as the famous Chessell Down Brooch on display at the British Museum.
Some of the items uncovered could have been imported from across Europe, such as amber beads, and various metals and raw materials used to make the artefacts. Two glass cone beakers were uncovered intact, which are similar to vessels made in Northern France, although they were also making them in England at the time. The beakers, which would have been used for drinking liquids such as wine, may suggest the people there had access to fine beverages from abroad.
A tubular rimmed glass bowl found in a burial thought to be made around the turn of the 5th century and could have been an heirloom from the Roman era. Photo courtesy HS2
One individual, a female, was discovered with a vast array of goods, the quality of which suggest that she was of high-status amongst the buried population at the site. She was buried with a complete ornate glass bowl made of pale green glass, thought to be made around the turn of the 5th century, so could have been an heirloom from the Roman era. Other burial items included multiple rings made of copper alloy, a silver ‘zoomorphic’ ring, brooches, discs, iron belt fittings and objects made of ivory.
Archaeologists noted how the goods with each burial appeared to be tailored to each individual – suggesting the items would have held some relevance and significance to the deceased and the mourners at the graveside. A number of grooming items were discovered, such as toiletry sets consisting of ear wax removers and toothpicks, tweezers, combs and even a cosmetic tube that could have contained a substance used as eyeliner or similar.
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A set of 5th or 6th century decorated copper alloy tweezers uncovered in a HS2 excavation in Wendover – photo courtesy HS2
One unique burial was found with a sharp iron object embedded in the spine of the individual, perhaps giving an insight into the cause of death. The skeleton, thought to be a male aged between 17-24 at the time of death, was examined by specialist osteologists who believe the weapon was delivered from the front before embedding in the spine.
Items that may be considered today as unremarkable were also discovered in the graves. This includes an iron and wood bucket with bits of wood that survived, fused to the metalwork. The presence of this item could suggest that it had a more significant meaning than we would attach to such an object today.
Iron and wood bucket with bits of wood that survived, fused to the metalwork. Photo courtesy HS2
“This significance of this site for our historical and archaeological understanding of Anglo-Saxon Britain is huge,” explains Dr Rachel Wood, Lead Archaeologist for Fusion JV. “It is not a site I would ever have anticipated finding – to have found one of these burials would have been astonishing, so to have found so many is quite unbelievable.
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“The proximity of the date of this cemetery to the end of the Roman period is particularly exciting, especially as it is a period we know comparatively little about. The material objects will tell us so much about the people who lived during this period, as will the people themselves.”
One of the large iron spearheads uncovered in HS2 archaeological excavations in Wendover. Photo courtesy HS2
Other discoveries related to the HS2 project include:
As the HS2 – a high-speed railway line – is being constructed through parts of England, archaeologists working with the project have uncovered many medieval and ancient remains. The latest discovery is a burial site in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries AD.
A team of around 30 field archaeologists from INFRA JV, working on behalf for HS2’s Enabling Works Contractor, Fusion JV, completed the fieldwork in 2021, at the site which they knew was in use over a long period of time. Evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity was all discovered but it was the presence of the early medieval burial ground that was most significant for the archaeologists working on the site. The site contained 138 graves, with 141 inhumation burials and 5 cremation burials – one the largest Anglo-Saxon burial grounds ever uncovered in Britain.
“As we near the end of our archaeology field work on Phase One of HS2, we are just at the beginning of our understanding of how the discoveries will improve our historical knowledge of Britain,” explains Mike Court, Lead Archaeologist for HS2 Ltd. “The archaeological finds made at this site in Wendover will not only be of interest to the local community but are of national importance, providing a valuable insight into life in Anglo-Saxon Britain.”
Altogether, the discovery included over 2,000 beads, 89 brooches, 40 buckles, 51 knives, 15 spearheads and 7 shield bosses.
Many of burials were found with two brooches on their collarbone, indicating that they would have been holding up garments such as a cloak, or a peplos – a long garment worn by women with shoulder brooches. The brooches vary in style – some were disk brooches made with gilt, or coin brooches made of silver. A pair of small square-headed brooches were excavated – a miniature form of the great square-headed brooch, such as the famous Chessell Down Brooch on display at the British Museum.
Some of the items uncovered could have been imported from across Europe, such as amber beads, and various metals and raw materials used to make the artefacts. Two glass cone beakers were uncovered intact, which are similar to vessels made in Northern France, although they were also making them in England at the time. The beakers, which would have been used for drinking liquids such as wine, may suggest the people there had access to fine beverages from abroad.
One individual, a female, was discovered with a vast array of goods, the quality of which suggest that she was of high-status amongst the buried population at the site. She was buried with a complete ornate glass bowl made of pale green glass, thought to be made around the turn of the 5th century, so could have been an heirloom from the Roman era. Other burial items included multiple rings made of copper alloy, a silver ‘zoomorphic’ ring, brooches, discs, iron belt fittings and objects made of ivory.
Archaeologists noted how the goods with each burial appeared to be tailored to each individual – suggesting the items would have held some relevance and significance to the deceased and the mourners at the graveside. A number of grooming items were discovered, such as toiletry sets consisting of ear wax removers and toothpicks, tweezers, combs and even a cosmetic tube that could have contained a substance used as eyeliner or similar.
One unique burial was found with a sharp iron object embedded in the spine of the individual, perhaps giving an insight into the cause of death. The skeleton, thought to be a male aged between 17-24 at the time of death, was examined by specialist osteologists who believe the weapon was delivered from the front before embedding in the spine.
Items that may be considered today as unremarkable were also discovered in the graves. This includes an iron and wood bucket with bits of wood that survived, fused to the metalwork. The presence of this item could suggest that it had a more significant meaning than we would attach to such an object today.
“This significance of this site for our historical and archaeological understanding of Anglo-Saxon Britain is huge,” explains Dr Rachel Wood, Lead Archaeologist for Fusion JV. “It is not a site I would ever have anticipated finding – to have found one of these burials would have been astonishing, so to have found so many is quite unbelievable.
“The proximity of the date of this cemetery to the end of the Roman period is particularly exciting, especially as it is a period we know comparatively little about. The material objects will tell us so much about the people who lived during this period, as will the people themselves.”
Other discoveries related to the HS2 project include:
Graffiti to ward off evil spirits discovered in medieval church
Roman statues discovered under medieval church in England
Top Image: A silver “zoomorphic” ring, date uncertain, discovered in at the early medieval burial site in Wendover
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