The programme of Archaeological Recording at Harp Inn was carried out at lands required for the construction of the HS2 rail alignment at Ladbroke Cutting as well as associated earthworks, temporary works and landscaping. Following the results of a trial trench evaluation (Site code: 1C21HINTT; OASIS ID: hs2conne2-410012) at the site, an area measuring 1.24ha was selected for Archaeological Recording due to the potential for the survival of significant archaeological remains. A 360 degree excavation with a toothless grading bucket stripped the overburden to first archaeological deposit/geological interface under the direction of an archaeological operative. A pre-excavation survey was carried out and a sampling strategy was decided. Archaeologically features were hand excavated and bulk soil samples were recovered from targeted deposits. Fieldwork recording was carried out, including written record of individual contexts, hand-drawn and surveyed plans and sections, photography, and a site Harris Matrix. Surveyed data was recorded with Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment referenced from permanent ground markerss Upon completion of the programme of archaeological recording the site was returned to the main works contractor. The results of the Archaeological Recording at Harp inn identified archaeological remains of a small agricultural settlement dating to the Iron Age and early Roman period. Iron Age activity was characterised by the presence of enclosure ditches and ring ditches which returned pottery dating to the later Prehistoric period. A pit alignment with evidence of funerary activity was also discovered. Much of the Iron Age activity was truncated by Roman activity representing a small agricultural settlement dating to the first to third centuries AD. A series of re-cut boundary ditches and possible field systems were identified. The remains of a timber structure comprised of post and stakehole alignments was also identified in the centre of the site. The pottery recovered from Roman deposits was typically locally produced wares. Rare local and regional imports of pottery fabrics were also identified.
Meharg et al. (Sat,) studied this question.