Time Team: Unearthing the Past

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!

Martin Brown: Horrible Histories

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.

Suzannah Lipscomb: The Tudors

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.

Philippa Gregory: White Queen

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.

Victor Ambrus: A Time Team Tribute

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.

Sir Michael Morpurgo: Spielberg's War Horse

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.

John Preston: Netflix 'The Dig'

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.