Episode Two, How to build a Railway: Unearthing History

How to Build a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.

This episode, ‘Unearthing History’, explores everything archaeology. HS2’s archaeology programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will allow us to reveal over 10,000 years of British history.

As Europe’s biggest dig, HS2’s archaeology programme has provided fascinating insight and discoveries into the lives of the people and communities who made modern Britain.

Guests

  • Helen Wass, HS2 Head of Historic Environment
  • Mike Court, HS2 Lead of Historic Environment
  • Dr Rachel Wood, Former Archaeological Manager on HS2

Mike explains the Historic Environmental Research Delivery Strategy (HERDS) plan which developed the focus of the field work and asking the big landscape questions.

Rachel describes the 20 sites she was responsible for including St Mary’s Church and the whole host incredible discoveries.

Helen looks at the future of the sites with the post excavation process and how the focus will shift to a wider picture. Why the discoveries were there? What were the Romans doing? How has the landscape changed through to the Victorian time?

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