Treasures found on HS2 route stored in secret warehouse | BBC News

Key Concepts

• HS2 Archaeology: Archaeological discoveries made during the construction of the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line in the UK.
• Artifacts: Objects recovered from archaeological sites, representing past human activity (e.g., Roman bone carving, Saxon comb, medieval needle case).
• Coin Hoards: Collections of coins deliberately hidden, often providing chronological data about past events.
• Post-Medieval Archaeology: Archaeological study of the period following the medieval era (roughly 1500 AD onwards).
• Archaeological Assessment: The process of evaluating the archaeological potential of a site before construction.

Roman & Earlier Finds

The HS2 project has yielded a significant number of archaeological finds, beginning with items dating back over 40,000 years, including a handaxe. A particularly notable discovery is a small, carved piece of bone from the Roman period. While the full inscription is unknown, it’s believed to contain a phrase associated with gladiators, suggesting a connection to gladiatorial events and potentially belonging to a former gladiator discovered in Northamptonshire. This provides a tangible link to Roman life and entertainment. Further Roman finds include coins recovered from a Roman wishing well – a well built on a natural spring where people deposited coins, mirroring modern practices like throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain. The chronological range of these coins, deposited over time, offers a unique insight into repeated visits to the same location.

Scale of the Archaeological Collection

The sheer volume of artifacts recovered is substantial. Currently, approximately 450,000 items are stored in a single warehouse, awaiting cleaning, research, and ultimately, a permanent home. The ownership and final destination of these items are still being determined. This highlights the logistical challenges of managing such a large archaeological collection resulting from a single infrastructure project.

HS2’s Impact & Justification

The construction of the 140-mile HS2 railway line necessitated extensive archaeological assessment before any ground was broken. This process has fundamentally altered the landscape along the route, impacting fields and communities. The project has sparked debate regarding whether the archaeological benefits outweigh the disruption caused by the railway’s construction. However, from an archaeological perspective, the project is considered highly valuable. The extensive geographical scope of the HS2 route allows for comparative analysis of archaeological data across time and different regions, providing a broader understanding of historical changes. As stated by a representative, “It's very exciting from an archeological perspective…We can use all the archeological data we have to compare change across time across large areas and between different regions.”

Unusual & Significant Post-Medieval Discoveries

Beyond Roman and earlier finds, the HS2 excavations have uncovered unusual items from the post-medieval period. A particularly striking example is a gold dental prosthesis – essentially, gold dentures. This discovery, made at one of the excavated cemetery sites, is described as “bizarre” and demonstrates the wealth and practices of individuals in the past. The presence of gold suggests a high social status for the individual who wore it.

Future of the Artifacts

The long-term goal is to deposit the majority of the recovered artifacts with local museums. This would ensure public access to these historical treasures and contribute to local heritage resources. The hope is that these items will be researched, displayed, and used to tell the stories of past generations. As Charlotte stated, she would “love to see the majority of these items being able to be deposited with the local museums.”

Conclusion

The HS2 project has resulted in an unprecedented archaeological windfall, revealing a wealth of information about Britain’s history, from prehistoric handaxes to post-medieval gold dentures. While the construction has been controversial, the archaeological discoveries offer a unique opportunity to understand the past and contribute to our collective knowledge. The challenge now lies in properly researching, preserving, and making these artifacts accessible to the public, ensuring that the tales of our ancestors are uncovered and told.