News on HS2 in Bucks & Oxfordshire

Archaeologists working on the HS2 project in Buckinghamshire have made an eerie discovery, unearthing a skeleton believed to be a murder victim from the Iron Age. Other discoveries at the Wellwick Farm site near Wendover span over 4,000 years of human history, and include a circular timber monument resembling Stonehenge.

The announcement of the discovery comes during the Festival of British Archaeology , an annual event taking place over nine days between 11th and 19th July. HS2 is taking part and hosting an online event. To find out more about this event, see our recent news post here .

HS2 is taking part, hosting digital events showcasing recent archaeological discoveries. This section of the HS2 route is being prepared to build the Wendover Green Tunnel and the Wendover North Cutting and the archaeology programme is a central part of HS2’s ground preparation works for Phase One of the project - London to Birmingham.

During the excavations an adult male skeleton was found buried face down in a ditch with hands bound together under his pelvis. This unusual burial position suggests he may have been a victim of a murder or execution. Further examinations are taking place for further evidence of foul play.

The works have uncovered a wealth of archaeology, with evidence of human activity dating from the Neolithic to the Medieval period - around 4,000 years. Land to the west of Wendover appears to have been repeatedly used for ceremonial activity, with the additional discovery of a large circular monument of wooden posts 65 metres in diameter aligned with the winter solstice, similar to Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

Archaeologists believe that during the Bronze and Iron Ages the site saw some domestic occupation with at least one roundhouse being identified and possible structures such as animal pens and pits used for disposing food. In Roman times, this occupation may have moved to the current location of Wendover, but Wellwick Farm was still used for burials. A skeleton in a lead-lined coffin, with the outer coffin likely made of wood, was also discovered, and archaeologists believe the person was of high status in order to pay for such an expensive method of burial.

Commenting on the finds, Dr. Rachel Wood, Project Archaeologist said: “We already knew that Buckinghamshire is rich in archaeology but discovering a site showing human activity spanning 4,000 years came as a bit of a surprise to us. The death of the Wellwick Farm man remains a mystery to us but there aren’t many ways you end up in a bottom of a ditch, face down, with your hands bound. We hope our osteologists will be able to shed more light on this potentially gruesome death.

"The large wooden ceremonial structure, the Roman lead burial and the mystery of the skeleton at Wellwick Farm helps bring alive the fact that people lived, worked and died in this area long before we came along."

Mike Court, HS2 Lead Archaeologist added: "Before we build the low-carbon high-speed railway between London and Birmingham, we are uncovering a wealth of archaeology that will enrich our cultural heritage. Our discoveries will be shared with communities and the public through virtual lectures, open days and in an upcoming BBC archaeology documentary.

“The sheer scale of possible discoveries, the geographical span and the vast range of our history to be unearthed makes HS2’s archaeology programme a unique opportunity to tell the story of Buckinghamshire and Britain."

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.