It's time for another Site Wrestle as Tim 'n' Jim turn to the Neolithic long barrow that the Originals recently sparred over. There's a great story to be told, as a result of both antiquarian interest and the surrounding land's more recent use as a WWII US airbase. But is that reason enough to take it on?
Is it best to leave the site undisturbed for future generations? Alternatively, perhaps Time Team might carry out vital work to get the site scheduled and hence safeguard its future.
2021-02-25 08:41:00 +0000 UTC
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In our second Site Wrestle from the Producers' perspective, we introduce a brand new site contender...
Again, on paper it looks great – an ancient village with references in both the Domesday Book and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, linked to a famous historic king, possibly home to Anglo-Saxon church remains, and with ties to the early European colonists of North America.
What's more, there's a thriving village community today who care deeply about uncovering its past. There's an op...
2021-02-23 12:22:13 +0000 UTC
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Having completed the first round of Site Wrestles with the Originals, we take a look at some sites from a slightly different perspective: the role of the Producer.
In this next selection, Series Producer Tim Taylor talks through the contenders with Development Producer Jim Mower. Their objective is marry up the two key considerations of any potential site: the archaeological research question, and the story that grips the viewer.
In his former Time Team day job, Jim had to pitch h...
2021-02-22 12:17:59 +0000 UTC
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For the final location of this opening round, Carenza Lewis shares a Lincolnshire site that is literally brimming with archaeological anomalies – an Iron Age hoard depository, a Roman barrow, a potential Anglo-Saxon settlement, a deserted Medieval village, a Bishop's palace and now... a modern University campus complete with artificial lake!
In fact, there's so much going on that Tim calls it an 'archaeological theme park'. We've given it the slightly more poetic name of 'palimpsest' ...
2021-02-19 10:51:24 +0000 UTC
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Time Team are deeply saddened to have learnt of the passing of our dear friend, Victor Ambrus, on 10th February 2021.
Having talked to the family this evening, Tim was told that this wonderful man had a peaceful end with his family around. They agreed to this announcement.
As one of the founding members of the Time Team family he was loved and respected by the whole team. He was an essential part of the team’s success, who brought the past to life. He was an exceptional an...
2021-02-16 20:44:57 +0000 UTC
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We enjoy catching up with the Time Team family, and in the case of Brigid Gallagher, 'family' is a particularly apt word! Not only did Brigid meet her future husband – 3D graphics supremo Raysan Al-Kubaisi – on the show; their daughter, Bella, also first learnt to walk on a Time Team shoot!
Brigid appeared in over 70 episodes as a field archaeologist, occasionally showcasing her skills as a trained conservator. She has now returned to her native New Zealand with the family and, toge...
2021-02-16 14:02:26 +0000 UTC
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Next up is landscape archaeologist Stewart Ainsworth, who makes the case for a site from his neck of the woods – 'Up north!'
The label 'native Roman' is a loose term, used here to describe local settlements that existing during the Roman period. However, as Stewart notes, they may well have been occupied at various points in prehistory through to the early Medieval period. Indeed, a key part of Stewart's question concerns shedding further light on the chronology.
It's another ta...
2021-02-14 13:28:57 +0000 UTC
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The debate takes a slightly different turn at this point, as John Gater considers some unfinished business that he would like to attend to. Many of you have asked about the possibility of returning to a previous site with the latest technology. In this instalment, John makes the case to do exactly that.
As we'll see, John believes Brancaster to be the ideal candidate to showcase the very best that today's geophysics can offer. It's a very worthwhile scientific question in its own right....
2021-02-12 13:35:27 +0000 UTC
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As the Site Wrestle continues, it's now Helen Geake's turn to present a site that she would like to explore further – an Anglo-Saxon burial ground in the East of England. But what will the rest of the team make of it?
It's worth noting that we are currently listening in on the introductory conversations of an ongoing process. As a result, the teams' views and score ratings are based purely on early impressions (well, ok, proximity to a decent pub, in John's case).
As always, ide...
2021-02-11 10:37:17 +0000 UTC
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It's a question that often comes up on Time Team: will they find anything? Well, we're pleased to report that our site contenders are already throwing up some interesting artefacts...
This bit of old pot, for example, was found at one of our potential sites. Any ideas what it could be?
2021-02-10 17:47:56 +0000 UTC
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The Site Wrestle continues as our team of trusty Originals consider the next site: a Neolithic long barrow. It's an intriguing proposition, ripe with possibilities. But they're a tough group to please and this particular site throws up many interesting questions...
2021-02-09 15:26:06 +0000 UTC
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Well, it's starting to get a bit rowdy! The Originals continue to battle it out over another site contender – a Roman villa.
Once again, the team debate the merits of the site based on initial impressions, before giving a score out of ten. How will this one fare? Let's find out!
2021-02-08 14:30:10 +0000 UTC
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In the first of a series of sessions, Tim and the Time Team originals begin battling out the pros and cons of various site contenders. We like to think of this process as a 'Site Wrestle', but it's essentially an extended version of the pub scene, in which the experts argue over theories and fight for their corner!
Expect plenty of banter, the usual rivalry between Stewart and John, and many fascinating insights into the site selection process. Each team member will make the...
2021-02-03 20:04:38 +0000 UTC
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So far, our 'Meet the Crew' episodes have focussed largely on the archaeology. But needless to say, there are many other essential supporting roles when putting together a television series. In our latest instalment, we meet long-term graphic designer Neil Emmanuel. You may well have spotted Neil in the background, typically working away on his laptop next to Raysan in the incident room!
Neil is a talented graphic artist, illustrator, animator and storyboard artist – in fact, it's his...
2021-02-01 09:14:17 +0000 UTC
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Received the first batch of personalised certificates back from the printers yesterday!
So we’re excited to announce that the first of our introductory offer merchandise packs and personalised certificates are being packed and posted out to you ASAP. Just as quickly as we can pack over 2400 of them... 😅💪🏼 Keep an eye out in the post for yours and thank you for patience and bearing with us. We’ve had a few more to prepare than expected!
2021-01-30 19:19:16 +0000 UTC
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So, we did it together: 3,000 Patrons before the end of January!
Thanks to all of your incredible efforts, we've taken a major step towards bringing Time Team back. We are truly humbled by your support! As we’ve noted from the start, this is a long journey, but with your support we are well on our way.
We are shortly about to share our next goals and steps in a video announcement from Tim. But before it gets released to the general public, we wanted you – our Patron...
2021-01-29 18:38:33 +0000 UTC
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Here's an exclusive taster of our second Masterclass. Tim Taylor and Dani Wootton take a look at some of the key online resources for investigating a site.
2021-01-29 09:49:01 +0000 UTC
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In our second Masterclass, Tim and Dani talk through some of the key resources available online when initially investigating a potential site. Over the last 20 years or so, millions of individual records have been digitised and collated, giving easy access to a wealth of archaeological data – all from the comfort of your own home!
Have you always wondered about those 'lumps and bumps' in a field near you on the daily dog walk? The answers you seek might be only a few clicks away. As w...
2021-01-29 09:42:59 +0000 UTC
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Good morning from Time Team! And what a good morning it is!! You’ve only gone and smashed our next goal of 3000 members supporting and backing us here on Patreon by the end of January! Thank you all so much. Your kindness and contribution is outstanding and we really do appreciate each and every one of you that has shown your support to Bring Back Time Team.
We’ll be sharing our next steps and goal soon so keep an eye out. If you’re still interested, don’t worry, it’s not too ...
2021-01-27 09:25:45 +0000 UTC
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We've just held our very first Q&A session with Time Team's creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, and we're delighted to share a few highlights with you all!
2021-01-26 16:30:04 +0000 UTC
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We're often asked what happens to the finds after a dig, and how our understanding of the site has developed since. Time Team's resident small finds specialist, Dani Wootton returns to shed more light on the intriguing site at Brimham, near Harrogate in Yorkshire.
Through a close reading of the report and some desktop digging, Dani provides new insight into Brimham's links with the grand Fountains Abbey. She has also tracked down the finds to the local archive.
But it seems that o...
2021-01-21 10:12:38 +0000 UTC
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While many of the core principles of archaeology are universal, it always pays to have a local expert on site who intricately knows the regional peculiarities, and who is able to identify and contextualise the typical finds likely to surface. So, whenever we visit the West Country, we call upon the expertise of Carl Thorpe of the Cornwall Archaeological Unit.
Carl runs the unofficial Time Team fan club on Facebook, and you may remember him from the 'From Constantinople to Cornwall' epis...
2021-01-19 09:30:59 +0000 UTC
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Surely, if anyone deserves a Time Team long service medal it's Dr John Gater. He was there at the very start, and practically every episode since. But just in case you might have missed him, here's a brief introduction to the man who brought the word 'geophys' to the masses.
We often get asked how technology has evolved since the last series of Time Team. John is on hand to help answer that question, before sharing his own unique vision of geophys of the near future...
2021-01-18 10:26:28 +0000 UTC
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Tim Taylor catches up with Francis Pryor MBE, one of the 'great and good' of British Archaeology to hear his perspective on Time Team...
2021-01-12 20:55:56 +0000 UTC
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Hello all,
We hope you're keeping well. Tim Taylor gives an update on the latest developments and what is coming up this month...
Best wishes from the team.
2021-01-07 21:39:07 +0000 UTC
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Hi Diggers!
We hope you're keeping well. Here's a little taster of our very first Patreon Masterclass, in which Tim Taylor and Jim Mower discuss some of the considerations and red tape that need to be navigated through when selecting sites to visit... Enjoy!
2021-01-07 14:00:19 +0000 UTC
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So, we've found a great site... let's get digging!
Well, it's not quite that simple. There's a complex web of red tape to navigate through first, as we encounter newts, nesting birds, building sub-committees and mountains of paperwork. Fortunately, as Helen Geake recently explained on Patreon, nobody knows this stuff better than Jim Mower.
A very capable archaeologist in his own right, Jim's Time Team journey began many years ago as a digger – you might remember him as the haple...
2021-01-07 09:11:30 +0000 UTC
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It's time for our third 'Meet the Crew' profile, in which we introduce original Time Team members with a series of quick-fire questions. Next in line is GPR (ground penetrating radar) genie, Jimmy Adcock. As Jimmy explains, you might actually be more familiar with his feet!
We've made this feature a bit more friendly for those who prefer listen to the audio only. We hope you enjoy Jimmy's unique insights. If so, we'll be hearing more from Jimmy very soon in an exclusive conversation wit...
2021-01-04 18:48:02 +0000 UTC
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Continuing the themes discussed with Helen Geake in our opening strategy introduction, Tim catches up with Time Team original, Professor Carenza Lewis. Carenza draws upon her breadth of experience across countless digs to suggest some of the key considerations before heading out into the field...
2021-01-02 16:40:56 +0000 UTC
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With our opening Patreon goal reached in just 3 days and our next target well underway, we've officially kickstarted the process of bringing Time Team back. And it's all down to you, our Patrons! Thank you all.
But as Tim has emphasised, this is simply the start of a long journey with several key stages to navigate through before getting out 'in the field'. Each stage is essential and your continued support really is key to making it happen!
Stage 1, which we have already started,...
2020-12-31 10:14:13 +0000 UTC
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