Time Team: Unearthing the Past

Robert Harris: Bestselling author - The Cicero Trilogy

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 & Lawrence Shaw: Preparing for a ‘Career in Ruins‘

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.

Time Team: Dig Countdown – Talking Points

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.

Kate Mosse: Bestselling ‘Labyrinth‘ author introduces ‘The City of Tears‘

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.

Henry Chapman - Time Team‘s ‘Man with the Plan‘

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.

Helen Geake: The Roman Villa - Musing on Mosaics

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

Kick Off: Football History & Archaeology

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.

Tony Robinson: Time Team Memories

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.

Matt Williams: The Digger Picture

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.

Raysan Al-Kubaisi: Graphic Reconstruction with Time Team

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.

Mick the Dig: Dendro Detective

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.

Neil MacGregor: A Time Team History Through Objects

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.

Kerry Ely: Time Team's Mr Logistics returns!

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.

Jonathan Foyle: The Architectural Historian

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.

Dr Andrew Richardson: Finding Eanswythe - Major Archaeological Rediscovery!

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 here.

Order the 'Finding Eanswythe' book now from the Time Team Official shop.

Watch the original video interview here.

Natalie Haynes: Talking Classics with Time Team

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.

Miles Russell: the Roman Villa in Britain

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!

Kate Mosse: Labyrinth, Citadel & Sepulchre (Part 2)

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.

Kate Mosse: Labyrinth, Citadel & Sepulchre (Part 1)

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!

Ken Follett: Building the Past

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!