Commanding Heights (Dinmore Hill, Herefordshire) | Series 17 Episode 12 | Time Team

After you watch this episode, check out an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview of Time Team’s brand new 2021 digs on the Time Team Official KZbin Channel!
Iron Age settlement (Cornwall): • FIRST LOOK: Time Team ...
Roman villa (Oxfordshire): • FIRST LOOK: Time Team ...
Aerial photographs and dogged local investigation suggest Dinmore Hill in Herefordshire may have been a vast Iron Age hill fort. Can the diggers find the evidence to confirm this important discovery? With the site covering 40 acres, the team expect no shortage of targets to dig, but a frustrated geophys team can't find a single satisfactory target.
Series 17, Episode 12
Time Team is a British TV series following specialists who dig deep to uncover as much as they can about Britain's archaeology and history.
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#TimeTeam #BritishHistory #TonyRobinson

[@FatBlockOfHash]

Ah this really is comfort watching for me... Anytime I feel bad, or am stressed, or can't sleep, this is my go to. Takes me back to my childhood, simpler times. Stone the crows!

[@julanesutton9626]

Much the same for me, a form of escapism perhaps.

[@FatBlockOfHash]

@@julanesutton9626 Very, very much so escaping the real world.. And I always learn something too, which is a good bonus lol

[@MissLizzy882]

Me too!!!

[@elizabethchevalier7740]

Same. It’s therapeutic somehow.

[@teresamatheson4259]

Yes, I agree

[@fritzworley6316]

I would pay a very large amount of money if they would put every episode out in a Blu ray box set. Maybe with Tony and Phil or even Stuart, John, Raksha, and Helen doing commentary on all or at least some of the episodes. This is my favorite show of all time. I’ve even gotten my last two gfs in to it because they watched it so much with me. Lol

[@dorothyprior2615]

Years of absolutely brilliant programmes. What a Team! The progs keep me sane, as I watch civilisation crumble around me: wars, pandemics, dodgy politics…..Breath of fresh air, and the slight ‘comfort’ of seeing that it’s all happened before.

[@FrostyBalls01]

Just wait. My uncle is crazy and says he’s from the future he said in 2026 millions die from major pandemic. He said a super bug escapes a lad in Greenland and kills 60% of the worlds population. He read it in a museum when he was in the future. He says he went to 2499. But we do make a comeback and cure all diseases people die of old age or an accident that’s it.

[@lisatempleton987]

Yes, I agree Dorothy. A great escape from the insanity that is our world now. Even if, it is but for a little while.

[@stalinsghost1090]

This show is like therapy

[@megan6989]

Francis’ face at 4:33 when John says the geophys isn’t very good is PRICELESS. 🥺 Please protect his infectious, unconquerable joy and positivity at all costs.

[@christinebiada1292]

And poor John had to skip breakfast!

[@JorisKoolen]

And John's face when Francis is sharing his plans after that is even better!

[@southeastcoastalphotography]

Total absolute disappointment. I felt sad for him when I went back and rewatched that part because I saw your comment. Plus John had to skip breakfast to find nothing. Haha.

[@wanderwoman5558]

Kudos to John. Geophys is always the dog getting kicked around but cuddled in times of stress. Ainsworth is like the Shakespeare's antagonist. Tony is the frustrated by stander....lmao

[@annayosh]

It's such a wonderful thing to hear Phil talk about archaeology!

[@laraq07]

I'm always amazed at their ability to picture what these structures would have been three-dimensionally, in their heads.

[@Wolfeslad]

Well said! I’d happily listen to him talk about what’s in a mile long trench!

[@WatcherintheDark69]

Phil Harding is fantastic as an archaeologist and a great sense of humor.

[@omarra6781]

Phil might just be my favorite. Love 'em all, but he's a character.

[@MaMaSmo123]

:huge sigh: Time Team will never be the same without Tony! Do not see how watching will have that touch of argumentative humor we love so much!

[@milafraser]

Gosh, I love Stewart's work.

[@thecontinuedvoyage3746]

I had forgotten how much I loved Time Team, love being able to watch some old and new digs here!! Bring it back to TV!!!!!!!

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

Stewart never needs geo-phys. He doesn't even need maps. He just uses his eyes! {:-:-:}

[@katerinakemp5701]

Uncle Phil a man in his element, enjoy the banter by all, Tony's skepticism and sarcasm. Those ancestors certainly knew about constructing those massive ditches.

[@MaMaSmo123]

Both will be missed. Don’t see how it could be the same. Networks must have felt the same if they couldn’t find funding & had to turn to Patreon.

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@MaMaSmo123 true

[@MaMaSmo123]

@@katerinakemp5701 Tony got Network funding for his project Odyssey (which I love) his is a bankable name. We’ll see but if it’s members only guess I’ll be out. If I contributed to every channel I like… I’d be broke. Just my opinion but I think this Patreon business will go bust just like the .com era. I see problems ahead with that. Just an opinion… take care!

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@MaMaSmo123 tell me about it, know how you feel.

[@cdfdesantis699]

Love seeing Time Team get excited over ditches!

[@RRS8840]

TimeTeam is awesome. I live in Alabama and stumbled onto the show. It has made archaeology fun. I’ve learned so much. Thanks to the team for getting me hooked.

[@martinb5626]

My uncle used to bring back videos of this show from the UK to us in ZA I loved this show as a kid and once I moved here I was able to watch a lot on CH4. Amazing show! Phil is my dude!

[@DuckReach432]

When I was young and fit, I dug out foundations for a shed. It was hard work. The sheer hard labour to make that ditch and rampart is very impressive. Respect to those Neolithic people, that was a serious engineering effort.

[@eifionjones559]

iron age not neolithic, they had metal tools

[@MattDeMille]

Much as I like the archeology (and I do), I love just being in these out of the way corners of Hobbiton . . . what it feels like. Which is a good thing. As a trained moviemaker (production design) I have spent time on location shoots and sets troubled by bad weather and all the other problems: I feel your pain, but, I love the shots of the rain and trees and mist. Here in my comfy, dry, warm chair of course. Also, the pub. Love it when you guys go to the pub.

[@Morgana0x]

Great episode. I especially loved seeing Bettany Hughes in it. I love all her documentaries.

[@jesterboykins2899]

She’s a dish. No doubt. Her intelligence is the sexy part.

[@valswhitewolf6611]

No one us like this show.I love eating my meals and rewatching this wonderful show.

[@kcsunshine4008]

Watching time team episodes for the 3rd or 4th time….love all the great interpretations, social history and the banter makes me feel a bit like I’m among friends….

[@valswhitewolf6611]

For five months I suffered with a Verizon phone that didn't work and I was not able to watch KZbin I missed my favorites like Time Team.

[@Pianoguy32]

5:20 got to love John holding his laugh on the ditch being made 40 meters

[@lambjalfrezi]

It is pretty incredible to see how they cut all that rock from the ditch and then used it to layer the ramparts. It is even more incredible to think that it had been entirely undiscovered until this was filmed.

[@nathong3229]

"Absolutely not a sausage!" - Great episode, I have loved Time Team from the very first episode back in the 90's

[@ruhankarsten7352]

Watching time team on the throne is my favorite hobby

[@dinerouk]

Thank you your majesty!

[@loribriesacher2145]

I love Stewart’s input. He is brilliant.

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

"I've started to collect it. Black as your hat! Lovely, lovely charcoal." I love Phil telling Brigid about his find!

[@MrDannyWright]

*Faye

[@jamesrivis620]

For two years in the mid 50's, Dinmore Manor gatehouse was my home. At that time it was owned by the rapidly rich inventor of the glass 'cat's eyes' built in a rubber seat into the white line in the middle of a highway and reflecting a car's headlights. He invited our family up for a drink at Christmas ! If this is the chapter I saw when Time Team first aired it, it is up behind Dinmore Hill.

[@archstanton1628]

It's a pity he was long dead by the time of this episode, he was a true eccentric by all accounts and would have been a great interviewee 😁

[@edwardbentley3512]

Percy shaw? I thought he lived his whole life in Halifax

[@leesloan8216]

@@edwardbentley3512 he did as far as I can tell!

[@lizeggar2421]

Wow!

[@angeladawn805]

Wow, I spent a few years living in, "Hairyforrd" and can testify that cycling up Dinmore hill was quite a challenge, it's nice to see the old stomping grounds :)

[@catherinetodorowski6633]

This program reminds me of home so much. There is even one sow that is filmed in County Durham. Just listening to the English accents is very comforting and archeology has always been a passion of mine.

[@loribriesacher2145]

I love every person on Time Team. Wish we had one in America. I know you have come to our country and was glad for it.

[@BeExcellent21Another]

Thanks for sharing, one of my favourite series! Tony is a national treasure!

[@soniahamilton9914]

That was exciting. I thought for sure it would not be an Iron Age hill fort, but at the last minute it was!! The ditch Phil was standing in was so impressive, and amazing to think was built without major tools or machinery.

[@wanderwoman5558]

Phil told them on day one....its a series of 4 different improvements. One trench....told the story.

[@sarahpersonalexcellenceguide]

I laughed so hard at 4:33 and 4:36 I nearly cried! Love Francis! Love Time Team!

[@sooky2253]

"We might find some structures. Might we, John?" "I don't think so..." "Oh, god!" Hahaha 😄

[@Radders123]

This takes away the Sunday evening blues so well. Thank you!

[@ste76539]

I wonder if they knew at the time of filming, that 'Dinmore' (din mauer) means 'Great Fort'

[@sooky2253]

Wow! Interesting. In what language? Welsh?

[@Temujin1206]

@@sooky2253 It would be Welsh if Din Mauer is the correct etymology. It's certainly one possibility but other conteders in Old English could be Hill Moor, Brown Moor or Dynna's Marsh (Dynna being an OE personal name). Given the site's location on a raised promontary in close proximity to a river and associated wetlands all four possibilites seem possible.

[@sooky2253]

@@Temujin1206 Very interesting. Thanks for the info. I studied applied linguistics but not etymology, so enjoyed the lesson 🤗

[@larryzigler6812]

No , they are all uneducated.

[@eifionjones559]

@@sooky2253 yes

[@eifionjones559]

might have helped if they had looked at the name , Dinmore translates into early Welsh as " big fort", Din= fort settlement , and more = mawr = big ( in modern Welsh)

[@carola.campbell86]

I’ve done this also. I wondered why more research of the name is not done before they start? I guess it would kill the mystery and getting us all hyped up for the finale. I love this show.

[@thomasevans5467]

In the earlier episodes they regularly had Robin Bush and other archivist/s researching the site in the "incident room" while they were out on site digging he surely would have mentioned this. Idk what of when he left the show, I do know he is no longer with us here on Earth. The deep past pre-history stone age and before is such a fruitful area for pondering and conjecture, so much fun. The film; "Standing Stones" is a great film i think it is on KZbin....Holy Cannoli is that Betany Hughes making a cameo appearance?

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@thomasevans5467 Robin Bush is no longer with us, along with Mick Aston, Victor Ambrus & Ian Barclay.

[@elizabethjones9781]

I was coming to say exactly that. Saw the name and it seemed like an enormous clue before they even got started. Of course there is research before sites are selected and to see which might be interesting, and it may have formed part of the reason this site was chosen for excavation. Other examples of din=fort can be seen in the better known TIN-tagel and E-DIN-burgh.

[@matt_cummins28]

Absolutely fantastic episode! Such a lot of history and a brilliant insight into the lives and skills of our ancestors. Brilliant stuff, thanks so much.

[@SindreGaaserod]

Time Team is the best show ever

[@Tecting_Kev]

Always an interesting watch with the varied slots in time and fantastic locations , Never get bored of watching this 👍

[@petpet9467]

Greatings from Holland. Like the shows

[@siliconjim2554]

Always hoped Time Team would do a program on Credenhill where I'm from. Hill fort in Credenhill, roman town Magnis, now the village of Kenchester next door in a farm, which is still called Magna Castra farm. Oh! And welcome to Herefordshire, always plenty of rain and mud.

[@northwoods3d]

i love Time Team, and thought I had seen them all, at least once, lol, but i dont think i have ever seen this one.. Yay for a "new" one.

[@brendaberkstresser6910]

This show is the first time I saw an archilogists surveyor I believe in Stewart!!

[@staceym71]

He just needs to cut those fingernails 🤣

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@staceym71 it never fails to amuse me how uncle Phil's nails enters into the comments section. He is a accomplished musician as well, finger picking blues player so you have no chance of seeing him with short nails on his right hand.

[@seleeneparis]

Stewart, you have excellent choice of pens! Pilot Precise V-5! :D

[@ErnestoBrausewind]

Very cheerful Francis in this episodes

[@alisterx8698]

Can’t believe I’m just stumbling across this show, love it so far all the way from the states. I like the guy with the gray hat and the long hair his accent and the way he is is a typical American stereotype of a country Englishman 😂. Not dissing it rather like it it kind of reminds me of a hobbit character.

[@gmanhi5]

Well now your addicted haha 😂 I know I am I’ve seen them all.

[@alisterx8698]

@@gmanhi5 I got so many seasons to catch up on it’s like finding a new show on Netflix….I’m so excited 😆

[@adacox]

I grew up watching Unsolved Mysteries and Antique Roadshow… fell in love with Phil all the way from Ky

[@deekane9432]

Settle in because you'll be totally engrossed by this series and yes, Phil is quite the character. Brilliant mind.

[@alisterx8698]

@@deekane9432 Yeah he seems like it, seems like a kind of guy that I like to have a beer with at the bar and hear the stories he has.

[@ojwatts]

See, the trouble with Herefordshie is, it doesn't boast about any of its history. I love I'm Hereford and if I hadn't have come by this episode, I would have no idea at all that this place existed at all. I know Dinmore very well, but had no idea. We've got a Fire Cracked road/pathway that predates Stonehenge and the built a fecking road over it. It's one of two discoveries in the world, the other being in Arizona I believe. The council is a joke.

[@marilyncuaron3222]

Phil Rickman writes a great series of mysteries based in a fictional village named Ledwardine near Hereford. The protagonist is a woman priest of C o E and as the region's exorcist she bumps into the supernatural a lot. Her daughter wants to be an archeologist and joined the fight to preserve the Dinedor Serpent. These are entertaining and informative books that deal with archeology quite a lot. I think you might like them (they are deliciously spooky but Never over-the-top.

[@brainfreeze1925]

Love the old school stereo glasses for airphotos. I spent a lot of time using them once upon a time. (27:37)

[@benediktmorak4409]

hat off to all the people who -slogged - through all that rain and miserable weather. and since i am watching now since quite some time, this happened quite frequently. REAL sunshine must have been as rare as hens teeth?

[@deltadom33]

Keep them coming 🙂 when I saw the title I thought it was Hertfordshire rather than Herefordshire I know there have been some local shows to where I live . I also lived in Canterbury where they did the big dig.

[@gullrock14]

The original reality show!

[@Bleakhouse7]

Loved the graphic of the tribe near the end of the video

[@thevinylrevival5197]

Anyone know the episode where Phil Harding says absolutely not a sausage Tony always cracks me up nice to see these episodes again takes me back

[@mrkolasa.]

Brilliant i never saw Bethany Hughes on time team before

[@sanityormadness]

And in the segment 24:15 - 25:46, she seems decidedly unconvinced about the decisions which led to her hiking through the woods in the rain, with bare legs and a high probability of getting stung or cut by nettles, brambles, etc!

[@Legion563]

She joined around the time Time Team started getting dumbed down before it got shit canned so she wasn't around for long essentially.

[@Tiger89Lilly]

She was in the Westminster Abbey episode

[@EIixir]

Another very interesting episode. So much hidden history.

[@anotherbrickoutthewall9237]

Ohhh arrre Tony I do love a aerial photo.... Stone the crows!

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

So good. Love the time team

[@carola.campbell86]

It also relaxes me and I would like too see another visit to Dinmore hill (excavations) to finish out the mystery.

[@jenniferlaurensmom]

Is like my extended family so enjoy Phil

[@paulnyssen6448]

Would have been good if civil engineers gave an estimate on the number of people required to build the fort and how long it could have taken with the tools of the time. Also who those people were, where/how did they live during the construction period, and were they slaves or paid labor? I'd find it surprising if the people who lived/used this fort could afford to drop their day job and for years to cut a huge trench including a section out of solid rock.

[@abigailgerlach5443]

Is there anyplace in the UK that wasn't populated by someone in the last 5,000+ years? Probably not. One day, some time in the far future, some excited archeologist is going to dig up a high rise apartment complex. Can you imagine what they find for dating material? A landfill?

[@devonseamoor]

At the 26th minute, Phil's head with that blue cap and those wet strands of hair, with that smug smile 😂

[@birminghammotorhomeman]

sundays not the same on tv without timeteam lets get it back on tv

[@mrkitty1367]

lov this show

[@SandraNelson063]

It wouldn't be TT unless a monsoon was tipping down. In England, snorkel gear is part of an archaeologist's kit. And go ahead, ask Mike Allen about snails. Go on, dare ya.

[@13minutestomidnight]

The one thing I think that might have been relevant is that the ditch in the field was buried under a small mountain of alluvium before they could even find any sign of it, right? If a lot of the site was similarly under a lot of soil, they might have not dug deep enough to find any evidence of habitation, and geophys is hampered in such conditions.

[@Mossyz.]

I grew up watching these :)

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Close to where my ancestors were from! Might try and visit this area next summer.

[@angrybird9925]

Oh my God. Thank heavens for the bloody GEO PHYS!!!!!!!!!

[@Adam-Gates-Mudlark]

This was so interesting!!! I count Mudlarking as archeology ;)

[@GravesRWFiA]

if it was 3,000 years old that's 1,00 bc, then 1,000 years later they added the gate house-wasn't that when the romans were here? I find soem of this so sad. people worked to creat that special place and it's worse than a ruin, it was completely forgotten.

[@FINNIUSORION]

You had me at bettany Hughes. I was born in the 80's and I'm guessing I was less than normal. My first crushes were bettany Hughes and Barbara eden lol.

[@kigglestraw4987]

Never knew you did one in my county I live in the city of hereford and my nan lives right near there and my uncle is a game keeper at Dinmore Manor

[@terrydamron4770]

PHIL.. IS THE MASTER OF THIS THIS GROUP. THE MASTER OF READING THE LAND AND MASTER DIGGER OF THIS GROUP..... BRAVO PHIL..

[@user-wf5co6ct7l]

Stop shouting.

[@terrydamron4770]

@@user-wf5co6ct7l get over it... move on

[@terrydamron4770]

@@user-wf5co6ct7l piss off

[@terrydamron4770]

@@user-wf5co6ct7l piss off

[@chrismadden7127]

John, how's the geophysics? I can't see a damn thing. Haha. Seems to be his favorite line.

[@anneweir933]

I notice Tony had a pasta sauce stain on his shirt. 🤭

[@The1GeeDub]

I absolutely love Time Team, watched pretty much every episode but, good lord John's such a bloody moaner!

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

That was GOOD.

[@karmayt8956]

I’d love to be an archaeologist but my spine is so busted up I can’t dig. I can barely garden. Sucks to be so limited.

[@BeExcellent21Another]

A lot of archaeology requires passionate people willing to look at stones, metals and woods at a desk under magnification, there's always a place for passionate historians, contact your local heretidge foundation you'd be surprised how helpful and fulfilled you can be :)

[@maxsdad538]

Not all a archaeology requires digging. Henry's a surveyor, Raysan al-kubaisi (Brigid Gallagher's long time partner) is an architect, Victor Ambrus was "just" an artist, and Bridig herself is primarily a conservator. Not everyone plays in the band, someone has to hold the baton.

[@coraghallaigh1675]

want more? join in supporting Time Team digs on Patreon www.patreon.com/TimeTeamOfficial/posts - 340 more subscribers needed by end of July if there's to be ***3*** digs this year!

[@veldawells2839]

My everyday to go to place. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@user-rm4rn1sf4g]

Wish you all did more than three days. Why do you not do more days on those digs.

[@davidmerkle9541]

I would love to have met Phil!!!

[@kasie680]

I love Tony, he’s so cynical lol 40 meters???? 😂

[@larryzigler6812]

Love the guy who put Phil in his place !!!!!!

[@pingpong5000]

These are a historical treasure about learning the hows whys and whens in Britains long and glorious history. Baldrick's part is clear, to ask the stupid questions we the non archaeological viewers are thinking and he cheers the hell out of the experts, but I am unhappy eith a little celeb calling those qualified docs and Profs ' bickering' during and interesting piece of discussion demonstrationg how they see the same thing different, it is the most imformative part of the program and where those of us who want to learn a little more do, I love the look on Phil's face sometimes when Tony talks like he is the chief, they priceless, just the same as you would give a puppy that's just done a poo in your house, classic. Peopel of that type are of that time and can not exist now, we are not allowed to be.

[@deltadom33]

I love tonys sarcasm

[@TheSpeakingSnail]

I find him really annoying

[@katetorode8411]

Huge cattle market? It sits well on the north south river n east west hill fort lines

[@Sylacs]

To Phil" Do your second best thing, and stop talking!" Wow someone was having a bad day in the rain lol

[@anthonyanderson9326]

Lol yes definitely a wet blanket

[@MH-ms1dg]

he's kinda just like that lol

[@krakenpots5693]

I approve the pink hat!

[@kevinmccarthy8746]

Could the Romans have used it as well? Dear Phil`s jacket is soaking wet. The material of the jacket is absorbing all of the rain. I wonder if he has noticed.

[@NathanielKempson]

Me as a railway nerd: Dinmore MANOR AM I RITE WOOOOOOO

[@mikealangaloe1774]

I really want to move to the uk

[@leeandrew5638]

Is it true about they had a lost castle in Rochdale

[@nigelparks6855]

Corr, that's a bit nice says Phil. Has he spotted a cute looking blonde? ... no just a muddy bank 🤣🤣

[@roselynpark9950]

It really does show how archaeologically packed the British landscape is, not only seeing those two hillforts flanking the enclosure, but Hampton Court Palace just the other side of a narrow strip of woodland.

[@karlkarlos3545]

Yeah, and all other areas in Europe are archeological wastelands. Because nothing historical ever happened anywhere else. (Roll eyes)

[@roselynpark9950]

@@karlkarlos3545 Chur Bro, I live in Aotearoa - New Zealand, where we have Pa - hillforts - but are not actually replete with Tudor castles and the like. I agree with you that Europe is also full of archaeological features. I've only spent 10 weeks in the UK & Europe, and that was back in 1994. I'm keen to learn more, if you have some favourite sites you wanted to point out. Thank you.

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@roselynpark9950 Well, I live in Germany where you can't build a new subway line without unearthing an archeological site. Of course it's no different in France or Italy. And Spain is interesting with his old moorish/islamic history.

[@roselynpark9950]

@@karlkarlos3545 I think the article was from 2017, but I recently saw the MacDonalds in Italy where you can see an old Roman road under the floor… I’ll search around online for more European sites to get a broader picture; what you said about Spain gives me a great place to start. Thank you for that. 🙂

[@salwaneleyland5874]

That circut you circle was the innersanctum but it would be a holliday place to caravans cammels tows carts bogs weeds stakes.