This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the British archaeology programme, Time Team, with an incredible three-day dig planned at a site put forward by Time Team’s own Dr Derek Pitman and Dr Lawrence Shaw. Working in collaboration with Harry Manley of Bournemouth University, a single test trench uncovered over 1,000 years of history, spanning from the Iron Age to Roman Britain.
The area was once home to the Durotriges tribe, and the excavation seeks to explore how they lived and died. Early evidence suggests industrial activity, multiple phases of settlement and even burials – an extremely rare find for this period in British history.
The dig is also a stone’s throw away from Poole’s ancient industrial harbour at Green Island, which was the subject of a previous investigation by Time Team almost two decades ago. Dr Pitman explains: “As a Dorset boy, I’m thrilled to welcome Time Team to my turf, for what looks to be an incredible weekend. I’ve honestly never seen so much archaeology in a single trench before, and we think this is just the tip of something much bigger. We’re in for a treat!”
Time Team’s creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, is equally excited: “We couldn’t hope for a better site to celebrate three decades of Time Team. I still can’t believe it’s been that long, but here’s to the next 30 years!”
Many familiar faces will be returning, including presenter Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Prof Carenza Lewis, Dr John Gater, Prof Stewart Ainsworth and Dr Helen Geake, as well as guests Dr Philippa Walton and Dr Miles Russell. For those not able to join in person, exclusive daily updates will be available to subscribers to the online membership platform, Patreon, via ‘Dig Watch’. This includes site tours, Q&As with the team and production insights from the crew. The completed episode will premiere worldwide on YouTube at a later date.
Tim Taylor adds: “It’s thanks to our wonderful Patreon members across the globe that Time Team can investigate fascinating sites like this. I can’t wait to see what comes up in Dig Watch!”
This weekend, Time Team is celebrating its 30th birthday with an incredible three-day dig at a site put forward by two of its own members, Dr Derek Pitman and Dr Lawrence Shaw. Working in collaboration with Harry Manley of Bournemouth University, the site is brimming with archaeology from the Iron Age to Roman Britain.
The area was once home to the Durotriges tribe, and the excavation seeks to explore how they lived and died. Evidence discovered so far includes industrial activity, multiple phases of settlement and even burials – an incredibly rare find for this period in British history.
The dig is also close to Poole’s ancient industrial harbour at Green Island, which was the subject of a previous investigation by Time Team almost two decades ago. Dr Pitman stated: “As a Dorset boy, I’m thrilled to welcome Time Team to my turf, for what looks to be an incredible weekend. I’ve honestly never seen so much archaeology in a single trench before, and we think this is just the tip of something much bigger. We’re in for a treat!”
Time Team’s creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, is equally excited, saying: “We couldn’t hope for a better site to celebrate three decades of Time Team. I still can’t believe it’s been that long, but here’s to the next 30 years!”
Many familiar faces will be returning for the dig, including presenter Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Prof Carenza Lewis, Dr John Gater, Prof Stewart Ainsworth and Dr Helen Geake, as well as guests Dr Philippa Walton and Dr Miles Russell. Those not able to attend can follow the progress of the team via ‘Dig Watch’, an exclusive daily update service available to subscribers of the online membership platform, Patreon. The completed episode will premiere worldwide on YouTube at a later date.
Tim Taylor concluded: “It’s thanks to our wonderful Patreon members across the globe that Time Team can investigate fascinating sites like this. I can’t wait to see what comes up in Dig Watch!”
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