Holy time capsules! The expansion of Britain's High Speed Two (HS2) rail system through the countryside is leading to an epic archeological dig through 10,000 years of British history. According to GOV.UK news, the railway project will be regarded as Europe's largest dig, spanning over 60 sites, overseen by over 1,000 archeologists, scientists and conservationists. Organizers say each site's unearthed artifacts and human remains will be treated with dignity, care and respect as they uncover time capsules of British history through the ages.
Supporters of HS2's railway expansion through Britain believe they will be able to find valuable time capsules of information into the everyday lives of the people and communities that make up modern Britain. In Phase One of the project, from London to Birmingham, scientists are convinced they will find evidence of the past popping up all along the route dating back to Prehistoric times through Anglo-Saxon, Medieval periods and on into the Industrial Revolution and World War II. Mark Thurston, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive says, "How we build HS2 is as important to us as what we are building and we are committed to sharing as much of our cultural heritage as possible." Thurston assures, "Before we bore the tunnels, lay the tracks and build the stations, an unprecedented amount of archeological research is now taking place between London and Birmingham." The rail will connect communities like never before, providing opportunities now, but also leaving a legacy for generations to come, according to Thurston. Duncan Wilson of Historic England says, "With the building of HS2 comes a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve our understanding of how people have shaped England's landscapes over thousands of years, from the first prehistoric farmers through Roman and Saxon and Viking incomers, to the more recent past." BBC Two will be filming a documentary about the project in a new series set to air in 2019.
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