Ask Onix
Unprecedented trove uncovered along HS2 route
A secret warehouse in Yorkshire holds 450,000 objects excavated by 1,000 archaeologists since 2018. The collection, revealed exclusively to the BBC, includes a possible Roman gladiator's tag, a 40,000-year-old hand axe, and 19th-century gold dentures.
Scope and significance
The Centre for British Archaeology describes the haul as "unprecedented" in both volume and diversity. Items span over 10,000 years of British history, offering fresh insights into ancient communities. Historic England praised the team for uncovering "new and exciting sites" across the high-speed rail corridor.
Logistics and security
The storage facility's location remains classified to protect the artifacts. Inside, 7,300 boxes occupy shelves, awaiting further research. While fieldwork is largely complete, the fate of many objects-including whether they will be displayed or remain in storage-remains undecided. Ownership will be determined under English property law, with options for landowners to retain or donate finds.
Notable discoveries
- Neanderthal hand axe: Unearthed in Northamptonshire, this 40,000-year-old tool was likely used for butchering. Dr. Sara Machin, finds lead for the Access+ consortium, noted its ergonomic design: "It fits snugly in the palm."
- Roman gladiator tag: A carved bone fragment found in a cremation urn bears partial Latin text: "DOMINE VICTOR VINCAS FELIX" ("Lord Victor, may you win and be lucky"). Experts debate whether it belonged to a gladiator or a spectator.
- Anglo-Saxon spindle whorl: A cattle-bone tool from Buckinghamshire features a ring-and-dot motif, suggesting textile advancements. Willow Major, a post-excavation assistant, called it "dear to its owner."
- Medieval die: Recovered from Warwickshire, this irregular die contrasts with modern precision. Its imperfections hint at handcrafted gaming tools.
- Pug figurine: A porcelain dog from a 18th-century grave in Euston reflects Derby factory craftsmanship (1770-1800).
- Gold dentures: A 19th-century set of lower dentures, stamped with a serial number, was found at St. Mary's Old Church in Stoke Mandeville.
Controversy and conservation
HS2's construction has sparked debate. Critics like Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, argue the project's "soaring costs, delays, and environmental damage" outweigh its benefits. HS2's chief executive, Mark Wild, acknowledged "unacceptable" delivery issues but defended the archaeology: "If they didn't do this work, it would be tragic."
"Whether HS2 is good or bad is debatable, but the archaeology is irreplaceable,"
Graham Evans, Northamptonshire Battlefields Society
Next steps
Archaeologists are now cleaning and conserving artifacts. A Discover Bucks Museum exhibition will soon display finds from the Wendover Saxon cemetery, where 122 graves were excavated. Charlotte Self, the project's archive manager, urged landowners to donate items to local museums: "These objects belong near where they were found."
Neil Redfern of the Council for British Archaeology called the collection's research potential "remarkable," noting it could illuminate historical landscape changes.
