Time Team: Unearthing the Past: Recent Episodes
Time Team
Exclusive interviews from Time Team members and special guests.
First airing on Channel 4 in 1994, Time Team became one of the UK’s most beloved and long-running TV shows. The ground-breaking history series presented by Tony Robinson helped to popularise the field of archaeology and has since been watched in over 35 countries worldwide!
Please note: These are unabridged, audio-only versions of the video interviews originally released on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.
Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams sit down after four weeks of Time Team's Sutton Hoo dig to reflect on what's happened over the past month.
Naomi Sewpaul discusses her work on site and sheds some light on what she may have discovered using her special floatation tank.
You'll meet one of Edith Pretty's relatives who reflects on the legacy of the woman who owned the site and sparked the archaeological digs of the 1930s which discovered one of the buried Anglo-Saxon ships.
One of our Patreon volunteers tells you what she got up to when she got the chance to spend a day as an archaeologist at Sutton Hoo thanks to Time Team.
It's Time Team's final week digging at Sutton Hoo and it still has secrets to reveal. Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams brave the wind and rain to take you to a new trench that's been opened on the bank of the river. Could work there uncover another Anglo-Saxon ship?
Helen's been squelching in the mud on the side of river at low tide where Carenza Lewis and her team are looking for evidence of human activity from thousands of years ago. You'll also meet the volunteers who've been given the chance to excavate test pits thanks to their support for Time Team on Patreon.
As usual Helen will be answering more of your questions at the end of the episode. Submit yours now by joining us at patreon.com/timeteamofficial.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams are back at Sutton Hoo, where Time Team's dig is in its third week.
Helen brings you up to speed with what's going on on site, including the latest on the cremation vessel that's been discovered in trench one.
Martyn meets the volunteers getting the opportunity to dig at Sutton Hoo and Tim Fitzhigham from the Guildhall at King's Lynn drops by with an update on a project to bring Shakespeare's stage to life.
As always, Helen will be on hand to answer the questions you've submitted on Patreon. Join the community now for bonus content. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for all the details.
Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams bring you this episode of the Time Team podcast from Sutton Hoo where our second year on site is underway.
John Gater explains how he hopes new geophysics technology might shed some light on mysterious signals detected last year and Jackie McKinley takes you through her analysis of the missing piece of the Bromeswell bucket.
We also take a trip to Woodbridge where The Sutton Hoo Ship's Company are reconstructing the Anglo-Saxon ship, discovered in one of the mounds in 1939.
That plus your Patreon questions are answered by Helen. Submit yours now and join our community by visiting patreon.com/timeteamofficial
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams are at Sutton Hoo where Time Team's 2025 dig has just started.
Professor Martin Carver, who led an excavation of the famous Sutton Hoo mounds in the 1980s, is on site with his thoughts on the project.
Sutton Hoo's archaeology and engagement manager Laura Howarth tells us what she hopes the 2025 dig will be able to reveal about life in the area.
Martyn explores the burial ground for himself and there's finally some information to share on the Bromeswell bucket.
Join our community of archaeology fans on Patreon. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to see Helen and Martyn's site tour, plus so much more exclusive content from out Sutton Hoo dig.
With just one week to go until Time Team returns to Sutton Hoo, Martyn Williams and archaeologist Dr Helen Geake find out even more about one of its unearthed treasures, The Bromeswell Bucket.
Martyn visits one of the UK's largest Iron Age hillforts in Oswestry to find out how vandalism is putting its archaeology at risk.
With fears about the future of university funding for archaeology courses, commercial archaeologist Giselle Király talks about job opportunities in the industry.
Plus, Helen answers more of your questions submitted on Patreon.
To ask yours and find out about the extra content you get access to, support us on Patreon at patreon.com/timeteamofficial
It's another episode of the Time Team podcast devoted to answering your questions. Dr Helen Geake responds to what you've been asking on Patreon.
You'll find out about the dark side of metal detecting, whether our ancestors were buried or cremated and why farmers can continue to plough the soil at scheduled monuments.
Plus, Helen's find this week is a spindle whorl. You can find out about one from a Time Team dig at Codnor Castle here:
https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/our-work/codnor-castle
And here's a link to one that's illustrated on the Portable Antiquities Scheme:
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/641637
Join us on Patreon to get loads more from Time Team and to ask your question in a future episode. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for all the details.
Time Team's Francis Pryor discovered Flag Fen, a Bronze Age site of world importance, in 1982. The remarkable preservation of a wooden causeway, over a kilometre long, along with ancient roundhouses, gave us unique insight into how people lived thousands of years ago. Now, decades after Francis' discovery, Flag Fen is under threat and the archaeology is at risk of being lost forever. Time Team takes Francis back to find out what can be done to save this hugely important site.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams speak to self-proclaimed 'word nerd' Rob Watts from the etymology YouTube channel RobWords. He explains how studing language can reveal secrets about our past which could shed more light on archaeological discoveries.
Dani Wootton brings you archaeology stories from around the world in Time Team News and Helen will answer more questions from Patreon supporters.
Join our community on Patreon to get even more from Time Team, including an extended version of our interview with RobWords. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to find out more.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake answers more of your questions in this episode of the Time Team podcast. From whether Vikings really wore horned helmets to why the police aren't called in every time a skeleton is discovered at a site.
There's also another edition of Helen's Find, which you can see at the following links:
https://finds.org.uk/database/images/image/id/477426/recordtype/artefacts
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/18704
You can submit your question for a future episode on Patreon, where you'll find even more content from Time Team. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for all the details.
In this week's episode of the Time Team podcast with Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams, Professor Vincent Gaffney, chair in landscape archaeology at The University of Bradford, discusses Doggerland, an area of land now submerged under the North Sea off the coast of Britain.
Professor Caroline Wilkinson, a world-leading expert in facial reconstruction, explains how new techniques allow you to look into the eyes of people from the past and metal detectorist Keith Wescott takes Martyn to the place where he discovered a huge Roman villa.
There's also answers to more of your questions on Patreon.
Join our Patreon community now to ask your question and to get loads of extra content from Time Team. You'll have access to extended interviews, masterclasses, early releases and behind the scenes videos. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams are joined by Gus Casely-Hayford OBE to answer your archaeology questions. You’ll learn the difference between coring and flotation, find out what commercial archaeology units do, debate the benefits of using plaster casts over a more technological solution and there’s another theory on Roman stairs to ponder.
Helen’s find this episode is a penannular ring, which you can have a look at here:
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/978770. You’ll find out how it’s been baffling historians for decades!
Plus, Gus shares exciting updates on a brand new V&A museum coming to London soon.
Don’t forget you can ask your question on Patreon, as well as get loads more from Time Team. We bring you behind the scenes exclusives, extended interviews and previews of our biggest episodes of the year. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to find out more.
On this episode of the Time Team podcast; landscape archaeologist Stewart Ainsworth takes Martyn Williams to Bodbury Ring in Shropshire where he's made an astonishing new discovery which could completely change the way we think about the Iron Age site.
Dr Helen Geake's delving deeper into witchcraft as she investigates curious witch bottles with Nigel Jeffries from Museum of London Archaeology and Dani Wootton is back with the latest Time Team news.
All that plus answers to the questions you've been asking on Patreon. To put your own question to Helen or get loads more from Time Team, visit patreon.com/timeteamofficial and join our community.
It's our first Patreon questions episode! Dr Helen Geake brings you answers to some of the things you've always wondered about archaeology. From how to get involved in digs to whether people are really ok with dozens of archaeologists digging huge holes in their lawns, we've got the answers to your questions.
Plus, Helen tells Martyn about a historical object and discusses its importance.
You can ask a question too by joining us on Patreon. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to join our community of archaeology and history enthusiasts.
Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams are joined by this year's winner of The Archaeologist of the Year award. Joyce Tyldesley OBE is Professor of Egyptology, she's poised to reveal some of the civilisation's secrets.
Also, Lawrence Shaw gets you excited about this weekend's Time Team expedition crew YouTube video and Naomi Sewpaul demonstrates an archaeological technique called floatation.
Plus, Helen and Martyn have an exciting announcement about the future of the podcast.
Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to watch the full interview with Joyce Tyldesley and learn even more about Ancient Egypt.
Dr Duncan Wright from Newcastle University explains how an 11th century royal toilet has allowed researchers to prove the location of King Harold's residence, solving a mystery of the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
Also joining Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams is Dani Wootton who'll bring you this month's Time Team News. Meg Russell explains the science behind the mental health benefits of archaeology and there'll be more of your Patreon questions answered.
Don't forget you can join us on Patreon for bonus content and extended interviews. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to find out more.
In this episode Rachel Pope from The University of Liverpool explains how new research is lifting the veil on the lives of women in Iron Age Britain.
Martyn Williams tries out one of the most back-breaking archaeological techniques, as Prof. Henry Chapman demonstrates coring.
There's a trip down memory lane as former Time Team Principal Conservation Expert, Brigid Gallagher, and former Time Team 3D graphic artist, Raysan al-Kubaisi, share their stories of life on Time Team in our Channel 4 days.
And Dr Helen Geake answers more of your questions from Patreon.
Join us on Patreon to see extended video versions of all of the interviews from this episode, plus loads more from Time Team. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial.
Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams discover Pompeii like you've never seen it before. New excavations at the site have been unearthing perfectly-preserved bathhouses, skeletons and jewellery which allow us to learn even more about life in the ancient city before it was destroyed by a volcano. Dr Sophie Hay was heavily involved in the dig and takes us through the most breathtaking discoveries.
Also, Martyn revisits the site of an old Time Team dig in The Cotswolds where an exciting new discovery has been made. Plus, Time Team's Meg Russell tells us how archaeology is a family affair with three generations involved in the discipline and Helen answers more of your questions submitted on Patreon.
Join us on Patreon to watch the full extended interview with Dr Sophie Hay, plus so much more bonus content and behind-the-scenes updates from Time Team. Go to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to find out more.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams take you to Sutton Hoo, where Time Team will be returning later this year.
Find out more about a new theory - put forward by Dr Helen Gittos from the University of Oxford - which casts doubt on the current understanding of how opulent Byzantine treasures, found in some of the burial mounds, came to be there. Could it be that Anglo-Saxons were fighting in the Byzantine army?
You'll also hear from the volunteers who are attempting to recreate the 27 metre-long longship which has made Sutton Hoo famous. How close are they to completing the project?
Plus, you'll meet the Patreon volunteer who's excited to return to the Sutton Hoo site and Time Team's Derek Pitman returns with news of a brand new offering over on YouTube.
The first episode of the Time Team podcast for 2025 is a little different. Archaeologists Dr Helen Geake and Dr Derek Pitman answer questions you've been asking on Patreon.
From how new technology might change the way archaeologists make discoveries to what happens after the diggers have left a site, Helen and Derek give you their thoughts on what you've been wondering.
As a special treat you can watch this episode on our Patreon site. Head there now to see Martyn, Helen and Derek in action. You'll also be able to ask more questions and get access to exclusive content. It's all available at patreon.com/timeteamofficial
Time Team's Helen Geake and Derek Pitman go head to head in this Christmas edition of the podcast. Members of the Time Team family provide the questions to find out if they really know their stuff.
Also, co-host Martyn Williams has a special festive surprise for Helen and Derek as they perform Twas The Night Before Time Team.
Don't miss our next episode on 7th January where Helen and Derek will be answering your archaeology questions from Patreon. Join our Time Team community there now at patreon.com/timeteamofficial.
In this episode you’ll find out about the discovery of a medieval moat around an ancient farm site near Tewkesbury with Jon Hart from Cotswold Archaeology.
You’ll meet Time Team’s buildings archaeologist, Richard Parker. He explains how analysing architecture can shed light on the way people used to live.
Harry Manley demonstrates how getting up high above the landscape with a drone can benefit the archaeology being done on the ground.
Plus, your archaeology questions, submitted on our Patreon site, get answers.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams guide you through the world beneath your feet.
Find out more about how you can support archaeology in the UK and around the world by supporting us on Patreon. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more details on the amazing extra content and behind-the-scenes exclusives you get when you join up.
The Time Team podcast will return on Christmas eve with a special Christmas quiz episode! Helen Geake and Derek Pitman will battle it out, answering questions submitted by members of the Time Team family.
Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams talk about the discovery of an ancient Roman knife handle found at Hadrian's Wall. You'll find out why it's not as recent a discovery as news reports might suggest.
There's news from China where analysis of over one-thousand artefacts are only just starting to reveal new secrets about the people of Sanxingdui, in the western Sichuan province. Ling Xin from Archaeology Magazine explains what life might've been like in this hidden Chinese kingdom.
You'll also learn the perfect trowelling technique from Time Team's Matt Williams and the show's creator, Tim Taylor, lets you in on his hopes and plans for Time Team's future.
All that plus an excellent question about stairs in Roman villas. Submit your question to Helen now by supporting us on Patreon. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more information.
Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams take you deeper into the world of archaeology with the help of Time Team.
In this episode Keith Wescott demonstrates how to use a metal detector to unearth rare finds, Giselle Király updates you on a rare folded dog tag, found whilst digging a site where the famous Band of Brothers had trained during the Second World War and you'll meet the technical wizard behind Time Team's lifelike 3D graphics.
Also, Helen answers more of your questions on archaeology and the show itself. Submit yours right now by visiting patreon.com/timeteamofficial where you'll find even more ways to get more out of Time Team, as well as support us to fund digs in the UK and around the world.
The Time Team podcast returns with big news. We're going back to dig at Sutton Hoo in 2025! Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams hear from Prof. Martin Carver who carried out major excavations of the site in the 1980s. Finding out more about the burial mounds, the buried Anglo-Saxon ship and the exotic byzantine bucket. He explains why it's such an important place archaeologically and how it still holds secrets to this day.
Also on the podcast; Time Team's Stewart Ainsworth puts Martyn through his paces as he undergoes the final bit of his basic training as a landscape archaeologist, the show's creator, Tim Taylor, tells you about the biggest challenges faced by the crew when putting together a programme and there's more of your questions, this time with an added surprise.
There's so much more from Time Team on Patreon. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to find out what else Time Team has to offer, including a chance to hear an extended interview with Martin Carver on the secrets of Sutton Hoo.
Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams bring you a special episode of the Time Team podcast from an archaeological dig at Norton Disney in Lincolnshire, the ancestral home of Walt Disney himself!
This episode is your chance to find out what it's like to be at a Time Team dig, as Helen and Martyn record the podcast from the very heart of the excavation. You'll hear from plenty of archaeologists in the Time Team family who've been working on site as well as the volunteers who've been digging test pits in the front gardens of bungalows in the village.
Both Helen and Time Team's Carenza Lewis will be sharing their memories of the first ever episode of Time Team and answering your questions.
For the full daily behind-the-scenes coverage during the filming of the Norton Disney episode, check out Dig Watch on Patreon. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial
In this episode of the Time Team podcast Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams hear about the latest discoveries at a site dubbed England's Pompeii. You'll find out how the Bronze Age settlement, home to around 60 people, burned down in 850BC but has been almost-perfectly preserved, giving a snapshot of what life in Cambridgeshire was like around 3,000 years ago. Mark Knight, from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, tells you everything you need to know.
Also on the podcast, Time Team's Stewart Ainsworth is out in a muddy field with Martyn, explaining how LiDAR can be used to reveal hidden secrets about a landscape; the creator of Time Team, Tim Taylor, tells you what happened when Sir Tony Robinson became involved with the programme and Helen will be answering more of the questions you've submitted on Patreon.
Join us now via Patreon to ask your question in a future episode. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial to find out more.
In the second episode of the all-new Time Team podcast archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams speak to Francesca Giarelli from Red River Archaeology about a Roman villa hidden under a new housing development in Oxfordshire!
Also, you'll hear how Martyn got on when he met up with digger driver Jon Beaver to have a go in his "big yellow trowel" and Time Team's creator, Tim Taylor tells you how he managed to persuade Channel 4 to take the risk to broadcast the programme in 1994.
Don't forget to head over to Patreon for more from Time Team and check out our videos on YouTube.
Welcome to the first episode of a new-look Time Team podcast. Archaeologist Dr Helen Geake and co-host Martyn Williams bring the past to life with the help of the Time Team family.
You'll discover the stage, hidden for hundreds of years, where William Shakespeare performed; Time Team's creator, Tim Taylor, tells you where he originally got the idea for the hit Channel 4 programme in 1994; ancestry and genealogy expert Dr Sophie Kay has great advice on how you can be the historian of your own family tree and Stewart Ainsworth reveals the importance of maps in uncovering the secrets of a landscape.
We hope you enjoy the Time Team podcast. Head over to Patreon to find out more about how you can help us to continue supporting archaeological discoveries across the UK and beyond.
This is the Time Team podcast. Join Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams as they bring the past to life.
New episodes start on Tuesday 3rd September 2024.
Here's a taster of what you can expect from Time Team. If you like what you hear, make sure you hit follow so you don't miss an episode.
A compilation of the amazing stories and finds featured in Time Team News in 2023.
Presented by Dani Wootton, featuring Derek Pitman, Lawrence Shaw, Helen Geake, Carenza Lewis, John Gater, Miles Russell, Philippa Walton, Harry Manley, Megan Russell, Tim Fitzhigham, Richard Osgood and Harvey Mills.
Time Team News is a monthly update of archaeological news and discoveries from Britain and around the world.
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
Time Team News is your monthly helping of archaeology stories and discoveries from Britain and across the world!
In Episode 5, we return to Boden Fogou in West Cornwall to find out the latest developments since Time Team's dig in 2021. Matt 'Bear' Clark brings our 3D reconstruction interpretation up to date with the new findings.
Dr Derek Pitman and Dr Lawrence Shaw discuss a colossal Bronze Age hall recently discovered in Germany, and Lawrence's recent adventures in the South Pacific.
Plus Dani Wootton catches up with old Time Team friend, Dr Philippa Walton to hear about ongoing research on Roman river rituals, following a Classic episode.
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
In Episode 4 of Time Team News, Dani Wootton takes a closer look at the use of artificial intelligence to read ancient scrolls, and the world's oldest wooden structure in Central Africa.
Meanwhile, Helen Geake visits King's Lynn in Norfolk to investigate the boards of the Bard, William Shakespeare.
Plus, we're treated to an exclusive preview of an upcoming collaboration with Forestry England and Operation Nightingale.
Time Team News is a brand new monthly YouTube feature, sharing a selection of the latest archaeological discoveries from around the world.
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
It's time for another helping of Time Team News, featuring archaeological stories from across the globe.
Dani Wootton takes a closer look at recent discoveries including an Iron Age gold torc and a palatial Mayan building in Mexico.
Elsewhere, Dani catches up with Carenza Lewis on site, to hear some exciting news, while Helen Geake speaks with Operation Nightingale's Richard Osgood and Harvey Mills about their inspiring new book, 'Broken Pots, Mending Lives'.
Time Team News is a brand new monthly YouTube feature, sharing the latest archaeological discoveries from around the world, while we're busy developing new Time Team Episodes.
Order a copy of 'Broken Pots, Mending Lives' here.
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
Dani Wootton returns with another instalment of archaeology news and discoveries from around the world.
Stories this episode include the rediscovery of a lost Medieval abbey in South West England, John Gater in ancient Orkney and prehistoric inhabitants of North America. This is not one to miss!
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
Introducing TIME TEAM NEWS: Our brand new monthly feature, showcasing amazing archaeological discoveries from around the world and updates from the team.
This episode, presented by Time Team's community archaeologist and finds specialist, Dani Wootton, our stories take us to London, Germany and China, while Dr Derek Pitman visits Bournemouth University's field school with Dr Miles Russell.
3D models for our featured stories this month are available on Patreon.
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
Finds specialist Dani Wootton takes a closer look at five fantastic finds discovered during Time Team's dig of the Broughton Roman villa in Oxfordshire.
This incredible dig amassed a fascinating range of finds over the three days, stretching from the Roman to more recent periods.
The original video from this podcast is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
Get up close with the interactive 3D models featured in the original video on Patreon.
Catch up on the three-part episode (Dig 2) to find out more:
- Preview
- Day One
- Day Two
- Day Three
Throughout the year, in between our main dig episodes, we’ll be dropping in on a range of other interesting archaeological projects that feature Time Team's friends and family.
In this episode, Dani Wootton pays a visit to Dartmoor National Park, Devon, in South West England, where a team from the University of Plymouth are digitally scanning an historic farmhouse to create a 3D game environment.
Higher Uppacott is a Grade I listed, thatched Medieval longhouse, with origins dating back to the mid-14th century. It’s history meets high-tech, and as Dani highlights, there are many parallels between game design and virtual reality, and the modern techniques now used by today’s archaeologists.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be following the story of Higher Uppacott, including progress on the 3D modelling exercise, and a tour of the longhouse with Time Team's historic buildings expert, Dr Richard Parker.
Very special thanks to Matt Clark (Shadow Tor Studios), the staff and students of the University of Plymouth, Dartmoor National Park Authority and Gareth Allen of South View Media Ltd.
Watch the original video on our YouTube channel here.
Time Team's Landscape Archaeologist Stewart Ainsworth takes us on a journey across ancient roads and river valleys of England.
Stewart traces the prehistoric landscape around the Cotswolds, bringing us closer to the world the Romans would have witnessed prior to Britain's Golden Age of villa construction...
Watch the original video interview here.
What's the difference between Medieval and the Middle Ages? What was so dark about the Dark Ages? And was the Great Famine really that great? Dr Eleanor Janega answers these questions and much more, in her concise yet comprehensive guide to the Middle Ages that packs a punch.
'The Middle Ages: A Graphic Guide' is a razor-sharp introduction to a fascinating period, proving that history need not be stuffy, ably illustrated by Time Team's own graphic artist, Neil Emmanuel, with nods to both Medieval woodcuts and Monty Python.
Earlier this year, Dani Wootton caught up with Eleanor and Neil for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from the Great Schism to Medieval pandemics (which might be unsettling for those who have been affected by Coronavirus). Neil also shared his memories of our resident artist, Victor Ambrus.
Order your copy of The Middle Ages book in Time Team's official shop here. The original video interview is available to watch on Patreon.
In this exclusive interview, critically acclaimed author of 'The Dig', John Preston chats to Time Team's creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, to discuss one of Britain's most incredible archaeological discoveries: Sutton Hoo.
They consider the amazing discovery of the Anglo-Saxon burial by Basil Brown and Edith Pretty (as recently portrayed in the Netflix film adaptation), and the state-of-the-art survey techniques that Time Team is now deploying at the site to help us uncover more of its secrets.
Copies of John's book 'The Dig' are available to order in our shop here.
The original video interview is available to watch here.
A major archaeological discovery was made by a British farmer during lockdown – a large Roman villa, complete with an intriguing mosaic depicting scenes from Ancient Greek mythology... buried under a field in England.
The mosaic discovered in England's smallest county, Rutland, tells a story that stretches back thousands of years into the Bronze Age. Time Team's resident community archaeologist, Dani Wootton catches up with John Thomas from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services to find out more about this amazing discovery.
John Thomas is no stranger to Time Team having appeared on the programme several times over the years, alongside fellow archaeology Peter Liddle (who we interviewed recently on Patreon). What's more the geophysical survey on the villa was carried out by SUMO – the company led by Time Team's own geophys whizz, Dr John Gater!
Very special thanks to John Thomas, UCLA and Historic England.
The original video of this interview can be watched here.
Time Team meets Sid, a young boy who made an incredible ancient discovery in his back garden, when looking for pottery during lockdown. Sid's amazing find made the national headlines here in the UK and he has since appeared on iconic children's TV show, Blue Peter.
We're also joined by Dr Tim Ewin, Senior Curator at the Natural History Museum to discuss the similarities between archaeology and palaeontology, and amazing 'Jurassic Pompeii' also recently discovered in the UK.
While very different subjects, there are some clear parallels between archaeology and palaeontology, and Time Team is no stranger to palaeontology, having searched for mammoths in an Oxfordshire gravel pit back in Series 3. We also headed to Montana's 'Dinosaur Belt' for a 2001 special to excavate a Tyrannosaurus Rex!
Special thanks to Sid and Vish Singh, and Dr Tim Ewin of the Natural History Museum, London.
You can watch the original video interview here.
We catch up with old friend and authority on Anglo-Saxon archaeology, Prof Helena Hamerow for a wide ranging discussion, covering everything from Saxon royal power bases to discoveries including the Staffordshire Hoard.
Helena – a key contributor to our dig at Sutton Courtenay, featured in last week's Time Team Classic – takes a closer look at Saxon royal great halls, including an incredible recent reconstruction at a neighbouring site in Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire. Prof Hamerow also sheds light on a fascinating period of history when royal women wielded a significant degree of power and influence.
The original video interview is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube Channel.
Watch Time Team Classics episode, 'In the Halls of a Saxon King (Sutton Courtenay) here.
Discover more about the Sylva Foundation and the amazing Saxon hall reconstruction, the House of Wessex, here.
Time Team regular and buildings expert Dr Jonathan Foyle catches up with Series Producer Tim Taylor to shed light on some of the most beautiful and intriguing historic buildings in England.
Jonathan and Tim consider the incredible Tudor gatehouse, Layer Marney Towers in Essex, Jonathan's former stomping ground, Hampton Court, and several glorious cathedrals. They also discuss the legendary and opulent temporary palaces of the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520, France.
But, most importantly, can Jonathan help Time Team find its next dig site?
The original video interview is available to watch on the Time Team Official YouTube channel here.
We revisit an interview with queen of historic fiction, Philippa Gregory CBE, with an extended chat including fascinating and previously unseen insights. Philippa discusses her bestselling novels, and experiences on Time Team at Syon House and Groby Old Hall – home of the ‘White Queen’, Elizabeth Woodville.
Philippa shares her wealth of knowledge, shedding light on the forgotten stories of women throughout history and discusses her recent novel, Dark Tides.
Note: This is an extended version of an interview originally recorded in July 2020, featuring many fascinating and previously unreleased moments.
The original video interview is available to view here.
Join Time Team for a walk through time, discovering some of the amazing historical features that you can encounter on a stroll through the British countryside.
Time Team's Dani Wootton catches up with East Devon archaeologist, and former 'Bard of Exeter', Jon Freeman to find out how we can all discover more about the history and archaeology of our local areas.
To discover more about Routes for Roots, download the PDF walking guides and watch the online video tours, visit this website.
If you'd like more information about researching local history and archaeology across Britain, check out Time Team's Dig Village book, available in hardback.
The original video interview is available to listen to here.
In Summer 2021, archaeologists from the University of Reading made a major discovery: the long lost monastery ruled by a prominent and hugely influential Anglo-Saxon queen.
Cynethryth was the wife of Offa of Mercia, and a powerful queen in her own right – the only female ruler depicted on coinage at this time in all of Western Europe.
The Reading team, led by Dr Gabor Thomas, made some amazing discoveries at Cookham village on the banks of the River Thames. Time Team's Dani Wootton catches up with Dr Thomas to find out more.
The original video is available to watch here.
You may have heard of the 'cottage core' trend that has captured many people's imaginations recently. While the concept might portray a slightly idealised view of countryside living, we thought it would be interesting to approach the rural dwelling from an archaeological perspective.
Time Team archaeologist Dani Wootton catches up with buildings expert and gifted illustrator, Dr Richard Parker, to discuss some of the archaeological techniques used to understand the development of a building over time.
Together, Dani and Richard guide us through 500 years of history of a Devon farmhouse, from its origins in the 1500s up to the present day, using Richard's incredible drawings. They discuss how fashions changed in different eras, and how these affected the structure and fabric of a home.
You can watch the original video interview here.
Introducing Neil Emmanuel – 2D graphic artist and motion graphics whizz, who featured on Time Team for 10 years and will be returning for our new digs this year.
As well as sharing his Time Team memories, Neil tells us more about his excellent new book, 'The Middle Ages: A Graphic History', which he illustrated alongside author and historian, Dr Eleanor Janega.
This brilliant read busts the myth of the ‘Dark Ages’, shedding light on the medieval period’s present-day relevance in a unique illustrated style. A unique, illustrated book that will change the way you see medieval history!
To celebrate the publication this book is now available in the Time Team Official Shop here.
See more of Neil's work here.
See more of Eleanor's work here.
In this exclusive interview, the master of the historical thriller, Robert Harris, joins Time Team's Derek Pitman to discuss the inspiration behind his novels.
Robert's books including 'Fatherland', 'Archangel' and 'Munich' often draw upon historical themes to construct intricate and engaging narratives, a blend a fiction and fact that immerses the reader is numerous histories and alternative histories.
Robert transports us back to Ancient Rome, the setting for his landmark 'The Cicero Trilogy', which is now being released in a special hardback edition.
Join us to find out Robert's fantasy dig site and what he thinks about Time Team, as well as the archaeological inspiration behind 'The Second Sleep'.
COMPETITION! Win a copy of Robert's new book and some Time Team Official merch here.
The original video interviews available to watch here.
Derek Pitman and Lawrence Shaw, best known for their 'Career in Ruins' podcast, join us for a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion on all things archaeology.
The duo begin planning the (entirely hypothetical) 'Official Time Team Academy University of Learning Stuff About Archaeology', sharing insights on the fundamentals of their craft and adapting practices in response to Covid-19. What's more, they give us a taste of the latest gadgets available to archaeologists today – from Star Trek inspired 'ray guns' and drones to smartphone apps and augmented reality. What on earth does the latest Mario Kart video game have to do with archaeology?! You'll have to listen to find out...
Finally, Lawrence and Derek look back at Time Team's visit to St Mary's City, sparking an interesting debate on the cultural differences in practising archaeology in different regions, as well as the advances in technology and approaches since the dig almost 25 years ago.
Check out the 'Career in Ruins' podcast here.
Watch the original video interview here.
As we draw ever closer to the two brand new Time Team digs, members of the team share a range of perspectives on the Roman villa in Oxfordshire and the Iron Age settlement in Cornwall.
Carenza Lewis, Helen Geake, Naomi Sewpaul, Stewart Ainsworth, John Gater, Miles Russell and Tim Taylor tell us what they are excited about and how they will be approaching the digs. As you can see, we're getting just a little bit excited!
You can watch the original video interview that was recorded before the digs started on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.
Tim Taylor catches up with bestselling 'Labyrinth' author, Kate Mosse to discuss her latest novel, 'The City of Tears'. We always learn so much when talking to Kate and this conversation doesn't disappoint!
Once again, Kate shares her breadth of knowledge on the genuine historic events, characters, locations and physical artefacts that inspire her fiction. We take a closer look at the fascinating role of reliquaries throughout history, and Kate reveals her own 'fantasy dig site' that relates to the book.
You can watch the original video interview in full here.
To find out more about Kate's books and other projects visit here website.
This week, we're joined by 'Man with the Plan', Professor Henry Chapman – Time Team's resident surveyor. Professor Chapman, of the University of Birmingham, tells us about his study of bog bodies and why we should keep researching Stonehenge. He also shows us his 'long service award' for completing over 100 Time Team shoots!
Discover Henry's fantasy dig site and what he thinks was the key to Time Team's success.
You can also view the original video interview here.
Join us for this fascinating chat as Series Producer Tim Taylor and Archaeologist Helen Geake consider the importance of unveiling and recording ancient mosaics.
Time Team is returning to dig a large Roman villa later this year on the Broughton estate, Oxfordshire. Of course, a potential floor mosaic is just one aspect of a much bigger picture that we hope to uncover at this site.
So does it really matter if we find one? Tim and Helen make a compelling case for gleaning what we can in the here and now...
TIME TEAM IS COMING BACK –JOIN US ON PATREON! Support Time Team by becoming a patron and get access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content here: https://www.patreon.com/TimeTeamOfficial
Following the historic final of the Euro 2020 football tournament between England and Italy, Time Team takes a look at the history and archaeology of the 'beautiful game'.
Variations of ball games have been enjoyed for thousands of years, from Ancient China, and the riotous folk football played across Europe in the Middle Ages, through to the modern game that developed over the last 150 or so years.
It's a game of two halves, and Time Team's Dani Wootton is joined firstly by sports historian, Professor Matthew Taylor of De Montfort University, and then archaeologist and heritage consultant, Jason Wood, to discover more about the historic development of football and also the fascinating lessons that can be learnt from the archaeology of football.
Find out more about the 'hidden history' of women's football that enjoyed a Golden Age during World War I, and the value in combining folk memory, living history and excavation to test archaeological theories and techniques. The links between football and archaeology might not be immediately obvious, but as Matthew and Jason highlight, it's amazing what can be learnt when two seemingly contrasting fields come together.
You can also watch the original video interview here.
Our hugely popular and exclusive interview and catch up with our lifelong friend, Sir Tony Robinson, Time Team's presenter of 20 series and countless specials is now available to download and listen to on our podcast! While Tony is taking a step back from his presenting role, Time Team is in his blood and we're delighted announce Tony as our Honorary Patron and 'chief super-fan'!
Tony told us: "I was delighted to hear about the plans for the next chapter in Time Team’s story. It’s an opportunity to find new voices and should help launch a new generation of archaeologists, under the guidance and watchful eye of Mr Taylor! While I won’t be involved in the new sites, I was delighted to accept the role of Honorary Patron of the Time Team project. It makes me chief super-fan and supporter – all armoury in our shared desire to inspire and stimulate interest in archaeology at all levels.”
You can watch the original video interview here.
You're in for a real treat as we catch up with popular Time Team digger, trench supervisor, ever-willing historic re-enactor and all round good sport, Matt Williams!
Matt recalls some of his most memorable moments on Time Team, including the time he unearthed the 'find of his life'. We also hear about what Matt is up to now and the various projects he's currently involved in.
Of course, with two brand new Time Team digs on the way, the million dollar question is: Will Matt be returning to the team?
You can watch the original video interview here.
Tim Taylor catches up with graphic designer, architect and heritage consultant, Raysan Al-Kubaisi. Raysan shares his Time Team memories, his thoughts on the evolution of virtual reconstruction and the role of the heritage sector in New Zealand – where he now lives with fellow Time Team regular, Brigid Gallagher, and their family.
We're thrilled that Raysan and Brigid will be lending their expertise to the new digs remotely from their New Zealand base. Tim and Raysan discuss some of the details of how this might happen...
You can watch the original video interview here.
In this episode, we catch up with old friend, Mick ‘the Dig’ Worthington. Mick was the excavation supervisor on the first seven series of Time Team. He later returned as Mick ‘the Twig’ – a 'dendrochronologist’ using tree ring samples to date historic buildings and boats with pinpoint accuracy. Now based in Maryland, USA, Mick shares his thoughts on Nevis, fantasy dig sites, working at Mount Vernon and making the headlines.
You can watch the original video interview here.
Tim Taylor meets Neil MacGregor, bestselling author and presenter of the wonderful 'A History of the World in 100 Objects', as featured on BBC Radio 4. Neil is no stranger to stunning artefacts, as former Director of both the British Museum and the National Gallery. Tim and Neil take a look at a series of intriguing historic objects, including some discovered by Time Team, as well as personal favourites from the British Museum's collection.
These objects speak of the very fundamentals of humanity: our need for play and faith, our sense of identity, our aspirations of beauty, our struggle for survival, and the unfortunate inevitability of war.
During his tenure at the British Museum, Neil oversaw new displays of the Sutton Hoo treasure, as featured in the recent Netflix film, 'The Dig', starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan. Neil tells Tim what it was like to work with these incredible objects and their lasting appeal.
You can watch the original video interview here.
We're thrilled that Kerry Ely – long running team member, prankster and all-round Mr Logistics – will be returning to the fold for this year's Roman villa dig! In this interview Tim Taylor catches up with Kerry to look back at his favourite moments and find out what he's up to now.
Kerry first joined the show as a digging archaeologist on the suggestion of his close friend, Mick Aston. He later moved into the production side and was key to organising everything on site, from helicopters to porta-loos. Kerry played an integral role in keeping everything running smoothly, both on and off screen.
The original video interview is available to watch here.
Join us for an exclusive interview with architectural historian, Dr Jonathan Foyle. Jonathan was a key member of the team on many episodes recently featured on Time Team Classics, including 'Keeping Up with the Georgians', 'The First Tudor Palace?', 'The Castle in the Round', 'School Diggers' and 'The Manor That's Back to Front'.
Historic buildings expert, Jonathan remembers Syon House, shares his insights on (upcoming dig site) Broughton Castle and reveals his own fantasy dig sites, which might just be added to our list of potential future sites...
Watch the original video interview here.
Dani Wootton gets the lowdown on an incredible 1400-year old detective story, concerning the major rediscovery of an early Anglo-Saxon saint and member of the Kentish royal family.
St Eanswythe was the grand-daughter of King Ethelbert of Kent and aunt of the two princes murdered at Eastry (featured in the Time Team episode S13E06). Local legend placed her mortal remains in the local church dedicated to her in Folkestone, Kent. Then, in the 1880s an ancient reliquary casket containing a pile of bones was discovered in a hidden alcove. Could they possibly belong to the early English princess and saint?
Dr Andrew Richardson (Canterbury Archaeological Trust) explains how modern scientific techniques – including carbon dating, isotope analysis and DNA analysis – are shedding light on the discovery, helping to settle the mystery once and for all.
Discover more about Finding Eanswythe Time Team Official shop.
Watch the original video interview here.
We're honoured to be joined by Natalie Haynes – stand-up comedian, author, classicist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's much-loved 'Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics'. Natalie discusses her latest book, 'Pandora's Jar', with Tim Taylor, and shares insights on the classical influence that the Romans introduced to Britain.
Please note: Some of themes of this discussion relating to Ancient Greek mythology and culture might be distressing and unsuitable for younger audiences.
Time Team regular guest, Dr Miles Russell takes us on a hypothetical tour of a Romano British villa. What types of rooms did it have? How many people lived there? How did the owners make their money and how did they spend it? Who else kept the estate running?
Miles considers the importance today of uncovering, preserving and documenting mosaics before they are lost forever, while also calling to place every villa within the wider landscape it occupies. As we edge closer to our very own Roman villa dig, Dr Russell's many insights prove invaluable!
In the second part of our revealing interview with Kate Mosse, the bestselling author of Labyrinth, Citadel and Sepulchre discusses her fantasy digs sites, upcoming novel, The City of Tears, and why it's essential that Time Team returns.
We're joined by number one bestselling author of Labyrinth, Kate Mosse. In the first instalment of a revealing two-part interview, Kate discusses her involvement in the Women's Prize for Fiction (this year won by Maggie O'Farrell for Hamnet), her love of the Languedoc region of France and the inspiration behind her Carcasonne trilogy, which also includes Citadel and Sepulchre.
Kate shares her love of archaeology, which began as a child growing up beside Fishbourne Roman Palace in Sussex, and explains the importance of the physical artefacts at the centre of her novels. Keep a look out for even more fascinating insights in the concluding 2nd part of the interview up next!
We're joined by Ken Follett, internationally bestselling author of epics including 'Pillars of the Earth' and 'Fall of Giants'. Ken tells Tim Taylor about the inspiration behind his latest Kingsbridge novel, 'The Evening and the Morning'.
As you'll see, Ken is no stranger to Time Team and he shares his fascination with reconstructing ancient crafts and techniques from stone-masonry to forging coins. Which is Ken's favourite cathedral? What's he currently researching? Where is his fantasy dig site? Join us to find out!
In this episode we meet Martin Brown, the illustrator behind the gruesomely popular history books, famed for 'leaving the nasty bits in'. We'd like to think that Time Team shares some affinity with Horrible Histories, created at a similar time, in bringing the lives of the ordinary people from previous centuries back to life... At the heart of it all is a good story!
So we tracked the lead illustrator of the series, Martin Brown for a chat. The effortlessly charming Aussie shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics including: Time Team's resident artist, Victor Ambrus; the thousands of years of history that surround his home village in Dorset; his fantasy dig site; ensuring historic accuracy in reconstructing the past; finding the funny side of history; and the long tradition of cartoon strips and satire.
This week, we're joined by good friend and historian, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Suzannah explains what she finds so fascinating about the Tudors and sheds light on the 'Holy Grail' document that all Tudor historians want to get their hands on.
We take a look back at Time Team's dig at Richmond Palace – the splendid, lost Thames-side royal residence where Queen Elizabeth I died. Suzie tells us more about her own experiences on the show and reveals her fantasy dig site, inspired by Henry VIII and a legendary international event that celebrates its 500th anniversary this year.
We catch up with old friend Philippa Gregory, historian and bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen. We discuss Time Team's dig to find Syon Abbey, Philippa's knack for uncovering the stories of fascinating women throughout history, her latest series including Tide Lands, and a fantasy dig at the site of the Battle of Tewkesbury – one of the decisive moments in the War of the Roses. This is one interview not to be missed!
Please note: This is an unabridged, audio-only version of a video interview original released on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.
Time Team looks back at the life of an incredible man and great talent, Victor Ambrus, who passed away on 10th February 2021. Victor was not only Time Team's resident artist from its inception; he was also a prolific illustrator of over 300 books!
Victor was celebrated for humanising the past. Though a naturally quiet man, Victor's pictures spoke a thousand words and his legacy lives on in the huge catalogue of work he left behind.
We hear from many of Victor's colleagues and admirers, including Tim Taylor, Sir Tony Robinson, Sir Michael Morpurgo, Carenza Lewis, Stewart Ainsworth, Helen Geake, John Gater, Phil Harding, Suzannah Lipscomb, Jimmy Adcock, Jim Mower, Sue Breeze, Mick 'the Dig' Worthing, Neil Emmanuel, Philip Reeve, Martin Brown, Miles Russell.
Please note that many of the recollections featured here were recorded during interviews throughout the last 18 months. You can view some additional tributes from Time Team family and friends here.
Please note: This is an unabridged, audio-only version of a video interview original released on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.
We meet Sir Michael Morpurgo, bestselling author of War Horse (made into an award-winning film by Steven Spielberg) and Private Peaceful, for a fascinating chat that takes in the Isles of Scilly, Arthurian legends, the importance of physical finds and much more!
Please note: This is an unabridged, audio-only version of a video interview original released on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.
We're delighted to be joined by John Preston, critically-acclaimed author behind the latest Netflix smash, 'The Dig'. The film that everyone's talking about reimagines the real-life discovery of one of England's most iconic archaeological sites – Sutton Hoo. It stars Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown and Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty. John is the real-life nephew of archaeologist Peggy Piggott, played in the film by Lily James.
John tells Tim Taylor, series producer of Time Team, about his personal inspiration behind the book and shares his own Time Team fantasy dig site. He also reveals one of more unusual finds to be discovered at Sutton Hoo.
Please note: This is an unabridged, audio-only version of a video interview original released on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.
We're joined by bestselling historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell, mastermind behind the Napoleonic Sharpe series and the Saxon Stories. Bernard shares the lowdown on his upcoming novel, War Lord, his family connections to Saxon hero, Uhtred and much more!
Hear about the possible discovery of the location of the monumental Battle of Brunanburh, Bernard's fantasy dig sites, and the return of Richard Sharpe – famously brought to life on screen by Sean Bean.
Please note: This is an unabridged, audio-only version of a video interview original released on the Time Team Official YouTube channel.