Roman Settlement at Grendon Underwood, The Hardwick to Marsh Gibbon Gas Pipeline, Buckinghamshire: An Archaeological Evaluation

An Archaeological Evaluation was undertaken along the proposed route of the gas pipeline between Hardwick and Marsh Gibbon (SP 797 195 to SP 626 238) between 04/08/06 and 11/10/06.
The work was designed to assist in defining the character and extent of any archaeological remains within the proposed redevelopment area, in accordance with the guidelines set out in Planning and Policy Guidance 16 – Archaeology and Planning (Department of the Environment 1990).
The Archaeological Evaluation recorded archaeological remains in Area F that attested to probably Roman settlement in the vicinity. This included possible structures and domestic settlement enclosures and also, further to the west, the site of industrial activity, namely iron smelting, dated to the same period.
Towards the east of the area, evidence for structural remains in the form of a line of postholes/postpads, sealed by a possible demolition layer, which contained significant quantities of pottery and CB, were recorded. A mettled surface recorded adjacent to these structural remains may have formed part of a courtyard/external surface associated with the building.
A number of other features synonymous with occupation and settlement were also recovered from features recorded in Area F. The concentration of slag was indicative of the presence of metal working in the vicinity and it is plausible that the features from which it was derived demarcated enclosures where such activities took place.
The close proximity of Roman Akeman Street to the south may well have facilitated this activity, for which a readily available supply of iron ore would have been required.
The remaining areas cited for disturbance by the pipe route had a much lower incidence of archaeological features typical of low density rural settlement.