St Mary’s Church; Stoke Mandeville for L-P:Archaeology (Fusion/HS2)

The removal of an entire medieval church in the path of HS2 created the largest 3-D jigsaw in British archaeology. Much of the church demolished in 1966 had survived below the rubble. Time constraints meant that 3000+ burials had to be excavated without the interruption of weather, and a tent was erected visible from space to do this. Under the tent, Mark’s hand rests on an octagonal pier base of the south arcade. Such in-situ remains will greatly aid the understanding and visualisation of the superstructure. He submitted his assessment document by deadline for the Written Scheme of Investigation to be submitted to FUSION. Subject to approval by HS2, the next stage will be the piecing of the church back together – on screen