Hermit Harbour (Looe Island, Cornwall) | Series 16 Episode 9 | Time Team

After you watch this episode, check out the official commentary video on the Time Team Official KZbin Channel! • Time Team Commentary: ...
The team descend on a tiny Cornish island that legend says was once visited by Jesus Christ. With such a claim to fame, the tiny chapel on Looe Island became a magnet for medieval pilgrims and many perished on the short but treacherous crossing from the mainland, but was the island truly one of the earliest Christian sites in the country?
Series 16, Episode 09
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.
For more Time Team content, check out the Time Team Official KZbin Channel: / timeteamofficial
We have some exciting news for you! Introducing... 'Time Team: Unearthing the Past' - a selection of our exclusive interviews with Time Team members and special guests, now available to listen to via our podcast streaming service! timeteamofficial.podbean.com/
You can also follow and download on Apple Podcasts here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
We are really pleased to share this new service with you and will be adding more episodes over the coming days.
Now you can enjoy catching up with these old and new interviews whatever you're doing, no matter where you are!
Please note: These are unabridged, audio-only versions of a video interviews originally released on the Time Team Official KZbin channel.
Support Time Team by becoming a patron and get access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content here: / timeteamofficial
You can now purchase Time Team's Official merchandise here: shop.timeteamdigital.com/
Subscribe for FULL EPISODES every Wednesday and Sunday.
#TimeTeam #BritishHistory #TonyRobinson

[@JulianneTure]

Phil knapping flint almost before he’s halfway off the boat… classic. He’s my favorite team member.

[@Exiledk]

"Oi found some flint." Fair enough, Phil. Job done then...

[@ericanicksin6568]

I think this is definitely in my top 5 episodes of TT. It's got everything you could want! Islands, mystery, actual finds like buildings, graves, new things they didn't know about, a treasure map... I wish they could have stayed longer! I think tonight I'll have dreams of this place. Thank you time team

[@alexwallace9832]

I have watched a lot of Tony Robinson's body of work. On Time Team sometimes I see hints of Baldrick and sometimes a lot, sometimes not at all. Tony is Baldrick and Baldrick Is part of Tony. None the less I have always loved and admired every thing that he has done on TV would like to see him in a live performance. Best of wishes to all the Time team members past and present. Love and respect to all those who have passed and their families. As a child I so wanted to be an archaeologist. Alas life sent me in a different direction. I can imagine what might have been. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 👍 😀

[@cynthiastogden7000]

I walk my dogs in the field looking across to the island and think about it's wonderful history thanks to Time Team. The locals have a swim across there each year.

[@susanmccormick6022]

So homesick for the South West.

[@cynthiastogden7000]

Yes its lovely but extremely busy these days.

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@cynthiastogden7000 My father couldn't wait for Sept when all the grockles/emmits went home.You could hear the Brummie accents everywhere & my boyfriend couldn't park outside his own house because a tripper would do so instead.But,oh,those summer nights!And the surf n beach parties & the ladybird invasion....

[@judeirwin2222]

Its wonderful history, not it's, which means "it is".

[@judeirwin2222]

@@susanmccormick6022 Well, pack a bag and visit. What's stopping you? Only yourself.

[@amandaspence8167]

I love Jackie’s blouse with the skull and bones motif! Archeological chic! 😉

[@K8E666]

“See his little face lighting up there !” Phil to Mick…☺️☺️ I loved visiting St Michaels Mount, Tintagel, St Ives, Lizard Point and Lands End in Cornwall. I went as a child and again on my first holiday with my other half. Cornwall is one of my favourite holiday destinations…

[@davidmunro1469]

Phil flintstone will never change. His hat must be donated to the Victoria and Albert museum.

[@bt9124]

It is a pity he looks like Worzel Gummidge because he is a seriously good archaeologist.

[@esmeraldaweatherwaxe970]

he's not an entertainer he is an archeologist, he doesn't have to change.

[@malcolmformosa1772]

My eldest daughter Amber and me we both like watching the Time Team our 20th times Great Grandfather was King Edward lll. 🥇🦘🇦🇺⚜️👑⚜️

[@jppcasey]

What makes this show so great, besides the archaeology and the history, is the small banter between everyone. On the boat ride over, Tony and Helen are talking about things and then Tony calls out to the skipper: "Tim, you're the local ferryman, do you think people could've drowned out here? Oh, I think it's quite possible. Are we gonna be all right today? I hope so. So do I." And Helen is just laughing the whole time. It's just great to watch. Love it!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

The whole episodes tone was set for me when Phil picked up flint from the beach 👍😂

[@TheBanana93]

Probably why I loved this show as a kid soo much aha

[@alexwallace9832]

The Navy divers were impressed with the Seals. I wonder what the Seals thought? Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 👍 😀

[@Loafinbaker]

I love how Jackie always has some sort of skull and crossbone patterned gear on! Great Time Team episode. Thank you for having these available!

[@veldawells2839]

Needed a part two. So tantalising. So much more history on Looe Island, Cornwall. Amazing. Three days not enough, especially looking at Roman hoard. So educational, fascinating and captivating. ❤❤❤

[@trishriederer1857]

That has to be the best description I have ever heard of Saint Michael

[@Oh-hardy-har-har]

LOL at archeologists arguing the importance of flint vs. white quartz pebbles.

[@siliconjim2554]

"...lights up his little face". I miss Phil and Mick's repartee.

[@KatMcKiv]

RIP Mick ❤️

[@natalieg90]

Don't forget victor

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

@@KatMcKiv Mick Aston?? Noooo😢🇨🇦

[@KatMcKiv]

@@shendaraalshedir1933 I'm afraid he's been dead some while.

[@philjohnson1744]

I love Mr. Thorpe. A true nerd in the best way.

[@Sk8Betty.]

This has never happened to me before, but I feel really emotional about this island. I want to live on it. It feels like I belong there or something it’s quite bizarre tbh. Prolly just manic. Idk but I love the rocky beach. Omg I have a wanderlust now. Crap.

[@chromosundrift]

Jackie's skull and cross-bones top, perfect Osteoarchaeologist fashion.

[@phoule76]

I love Jackie's skull and crossbones shirt.

[@gilesclift-simpson2661]

Tony: 'why is St Michael so popular in coastal areas?' Guest: 'St Michael is very important' Tony: 'Okay...but why would this island be named after him?' Guest: 'This is the sort of place that would be named after St Michael'.

[@joannamallory2823]

Matt is so cute with his curls and happy smile. He’s a good sport as well.

[@chrishenderson07]

An episode I have never seen. So happy for this!!!!!

[@susanmccormick6022]

John,what a place to live.I miss the ocean & the s.w. sooo much.

[@silva7493]

I come from farming stock over MANY centuries, and I can see the soil in GB (in episodes I've viewed so far) certainly is incredibly beautiful compared with the adobe clay I'm used to in my part of California.

[@esmeraldaweatherwaxe970]

it helps that in England people left the natural boundaries in place, and we were used to the medieval strips of different crops (rather than the monocultures the way america farms) untill the last decades.. now our soil is getting ruined just like yours. Too little crop rotation too much fertilzer and pesticdes will kill any soil. Food forrrestry is the only way to revive the soil.

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

Great episode as always, and Phil rockin' his daisy dukes again!😂 What a great tv show concept, quality viewing and just an all round great team of professionals!👍💖🌈🇨🇦

[@Cj-bw3hn]

After all this time, I still very much enjoy watching this show

[@PtolemyJones]

Well that was a good one, but darn, it easily goes in to my top five episodes I wish they could have stayed longer at!

[@adriaank75]

Finally an episode I haven't seen yet! There is one other youtube channel that has posted many eposides. As always I've enjoyed the episode. Thank you for posting,, TT!

[@ghomerhust]

timeline history channel has a bunch of episodes, thats where i first found this.

[@Dal606BBN]

That's where I found Time Team also during lock-down last year.

[@user-neo71665]

They used to be all free on Amazon until they announced they were gonna reboot it sometime in 2021

[@jodyshepard9482]

I really admire all their actual digging. That must get so old. Maybe they don't mind all that much. Love TT!

[@KatMcKiv]

Well except for Sir Tony they are genuine archaeologists who do this for a living.

[@V.Hansen.]

They wouldn’t be likely to make a career out of something they didn’t like. Not everyone has a short attention span. We are all so glad they aren’t easily bored. Such an interesting show.

[@susanmccormick6022]

You should come on a dig.Volunteers r often welcome at sites.

[@bainfinch]

3:44 John Gattor: "Bit of clues there,..."

[@josephkolodziejski6882]

So it's got medieval, early medieval, Roman coins, Bronze Age, Iron Age, was included in multiple late medieval to early modern maps, and also had a Victorian flagpole. All on that one island. Can't be too many places in the world like this.

[@maxsdad538]

You couldn't toss a rock in Britain and not hit a place with all that history.

[@dinerouk]

Aint too many places like the UK! A 4thC Roman said we were so fortunate to live here!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@robinsalario4372]

I always watched this. I loved this show and learned a lot from it.

[@chasee1563]

This is one of the best shows of all time

[@lisaenglert3202]

Wonderful! So happy Time Team is back!

[@ramblingrob4693]

back? Mick is dead! Tony is a OAP now .. back I don't think so!

[@davemonster2]

ABOUT TIME! IVE MISSED THIS SHOW SOOOO MUCH!

[@stephenwright414]

Seems like an ideal place to do another dig!

[@carysfaerie]

Those underwater pieces of footage the divers took were beautiful- looked like it was abroad somewhere; but Cornwall’s sea with its turquoise waters is very much unique due to the Gulf Stream

[@susanmccormick6022]

Hi Rosa from a true surfer girl.Two of my passions here, archaeology & the ocean.Do u know Kernow?

[@carysfaerie]

@@susanmccormick6022 Aw I’m not a surfer..it’s a beautiful sport though- but my name comes from an album by ‘The Pixies’ I only managed to get there once unfortunately- my partner was from Hayle. I’m Celtic just as Kernow is. I’m Welsh & was stunned at how similar the languages are. X

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@carysfaerie All from the same root.I am Celt/American or American/Celt,whichever u prefer.I love & miss the West country so much.But due to a dumb decision,now live in Inlander area.The people here r so different.But at least there r lots of trees,a canal & two rivers.One has a weir & one of my b-in-laws was over here & joked(I think,but knowing him..)that he'd love to surf it.Just like u can surf the Bore.I am v much a water babe & would love to scuba & paddle board.Nice talking to you.

[@carysfaerie]

@@susanmccormick6022 Hehe yeah that bore surfing is wild; I only found out about it few years ago. Nice talking to you too ☮️ ~*~

[@devonseamoor]

What an adventurous episode, with the Time Team members travelling by boat all of the 3 days. And then... the views! what a stunning location. I smile so much when that man, who knows about Glastonbury, and the life of the monks on this island, talks with enthusiasm, showing his cheeky face. He seems to be a proper fairy tale character, pixy-like, playing a Leprechaun or Pan.

[@nickstubbs3785]

Commenting for the algorithm 👍

[@paulgann4819]

The time Team is constantly pushing back the dates of human habitation of the UK

[@wolfnipplechips]

What do you mean? Humans have been here for potentially a million years or more. Not sure Time Team have ever dealt with anything more than a few thousand years old.

[@georgedorn1022]

@@wolfnipplechips A couple of sites have been featured that were much older - Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire (Series 3 Episode 2), c.200,000 years old and Elveden in Suffolk (Series 7 Episode 6), c.400,000 years old. But, as you said, I don't think either of these sites revised the dating of human habitation.

[@wolfnipplechips]

@@georgedorn1022 Thanks, it would be interesting to see those. I may have watched them first time around, but completely forgotten.

[@esmeraldaweatherwaxe970]

you make it sound like you have issues with that?

[@dougbotimer8005]

Love Phil’s high tech compass.

[@lilirehak5569]

Fantastic episode.

[@karendavis7988]

Such interesting history. Thank you.

[@chrishenderson07]

I am going to make the assumption I am not the only one that goes to google maps and tries to find evidence of Time Team digs may years later....... :)

[@Pavewy]

I know that you can find them online, but every time I finish an episode (I've already seen them all, but I rewatch) I drop a pin on the exact spot in Google Earth and keep a database of every site with a brief description. I try to locate them myself first via the basic information from the show and I'm typically successful just by using terrain association - but there have been a couple that I had to look up. In short, to answer your question - you're not the only one by a long shot.

[@Pauldjreadman]

Are they on there?

[@ogedeh]

@@Pauldjreadman it's all cgi

[@marc-andrebrunet5386]

Excellent idea ! 🍻 Thanks Bro 🤘😎👍

[@marc-andrebrunet5386]

@@ogedeh what !!?... Who said that ?.. What is a cgi ??.. ..is it a new Netflix series ? ..Doesn't matter, anyway I don't believe in Netflix believer !!🤘🤣 Good luck with your cgi TV series!

[@gailhowes9398]

Love this show!

[@SindreGaaserod]

What a great episode!

[@Russia-bullies]

Thanks for the good show.

[@emilytritle3603]

Good to see another episode updated. Love Time Team

[@daniellemacgregor6848]

Babs and Evelyn Atkins' book 'We Bought an Island' tells some exciting stories about this island.

[@wendywhite2642]

I just imagine myself right in the midst of them!

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Brilliant show, thanks!

[@peterknowles3198]

As ever, a superb episode. Ditto @Siliconjim Phil and Mick always made me smile Thanks for posting

[@Billio68]

Loved it!!!

[@BinkyTheElf1]

A reliquary (not “reliquy”) is a container for relics- bodily bits, or pieces of something owned by a saint.

[@johankan3757]

Tnx 4 this video ! Big fan !

[@annfahy2589]

Just looking at this againand how close to the edge of the cliff that beautiful building is. Still ok i wonder? Water is clear too 💚💙❤️

[@julieyates405]

That was a jolly good one!

[@makinitsch9113]

Thank you !

[@torza2]

a jolly good team

[@paulainsc8212]

What a wonderful to describe St Michael. ✝️

[@johnphilipfosterdobson551]

Compulsory watch down in New Zealand when it's on telly 📺

[@bcpatterson012]

Fantastic...more Episodes a little quicker please...

[@415s30]

"You're an observant sort of chap" haha

[@stevie-ray2020]

Quite certain that only the wealthier pilgrims could afford the return-trip out to the island once this particular pilgrimage had become very popular, so it made good sense to built the 2nd chapel on the mainland (plus there would've been those too frightened to venture out on the water)!

[@davidmunro1469]

If you find a chicken bone it might be a Cornish hen?

[@NikaBoyce]

Looks like a perfect place to set up hovercrafts as a ferry

[@Morio412]

I wonder.... is the mind and brain matter of Phil Hardy a flint mine???

[@grahamfisher5436]

'NOOÒO TOOOONi, Its a Saxon flINNNT"

[@alcidae]

I don’t know about you, but I rest easier at night knowing that I am being protected from the devil’s gorillas

[@belindaeaglestone9127]

Guerrillas not gorillas.

[@twigletz7384]

@@belindaeaglestone9127 I'm pretty sure he was joking lol

[@Shojikitsune1]

It's hard work watching out for people. The Devil's gorillas don't monkey around. 😎🐵

[@Happyheretic2308]

@@belindaeaglestone9127 probably both!

[@Libbathegreat]

Indeed, gorilla warfare is bananas!

[@leenobody3249]

Sad to think that Mick is dead now.

[@davidmunro1469]

Angel Michael. The most powerful warrior in the universe and beyond.

[@adamkencki]

the same shot of a running nun three times, funny:)

[@Shojikitsune1]

Yes, the Flying Nun had her own show. 🤪

[@jamesodonnell9143]

I remember an episode of Vikings where Ragnar and Athelstan looted a Reliquary, and Athelstan was a former Christian monk

[@esmeraldaweatherwaxe970]

are you talking about king Æthelstan?

[@silva7493]

I'm watching these episodes as a first timer, and I'm curious about how the show's sites were left after the team's excavations. I am supposing that in most cases they'd fill them in again and try to patch up the grass (or whatever) they'd removed and in some other cases maybe another entity would find it impossible to resist exploring further (with the permission of proper authorities, of course), but does anyone have a bit of knowledge of this they'd like to share? I'm REALLY enjoying the program, BTW.

[@georgedorn1022]

Once each dig was over, one or two of the crew (often Kerry, I believe) would stay behind to ensure that the site was reinstated to as close to original condition as was possible.

[@silva7493]

@@georgedorn1022 Thank you!

[@wurstfan9912]

I reckon Phil will at some point cause quite a bit confusion for future archaeologists when they find flint tools in modern digsites.

[@trishriederer1857]

Always in his pockets.. I'm sure he will be buried w some ~definitely going to cause some head scratches

[@ellieblaber4243]

bet those bomb disposal signs on the side of that RHIB caused a few rumours :D

[@jesterboykins2899]

Making the archangel Michael a “saint” kind of diminishes who he is in my mind. He’s Gods chosen warrior. For us to bestow a title of “saint” upon him like, “we humans decided that Michael, the head archangel of heaven is worthy, and we give him a grand title that we feel is worthy of him”… Even scripture says “the best we can offer him is mere rags in his sight” He’s probably up in heaven looking down like… 🤦🏽‍♂️”they gave me a title? Me? Ok.” Angel. Saint. Why call him a saint? He’s an Angel. Idk… just a thought I had.

[@CanChikMay]

I likedthis one

[@tobias4256]

Just visited the mainland chapel, somebody has laid out a cross in pebbles right in the middle of the chapel

[@unclerojelio6320]

Helen!

[@larryzigler6812]

Keller?

[@AnotherWittyUsername.]

Phil steps onto the beach and ruins a perfectly good agate trying to knap it. I would have taken it home and sliced or tumbled it myself.

[@CatLovesMakeup]

Intro music is so notalgic

[@jcspaziano]

@35:36 Jackie digging a grave in the most appropriate shirt diffing a kist. #dressforsucsess

[@mikebrase5161]

Saint Michael is the patron saint of the Infantry.

[@megelizabeth9492]

20:27 They have a doggo!

[@ralphjonesog7149]

This show would not be the same without phil harding! 😆

[@anotherbrickoutthewall9237]

Ohhhh arerr Toney ships, pirates and Christianity! Stone the crows

[@alicesprings3955]

Could anyone please tell me when this was actually filmed ?

[@ceh5526]

"West End galleries" and galleries in general, are not just post-mediaeval, they are very ancient and so integral to the architecture. Roman churches still have the 'matronia'. So did men and women have the same space in Celtic and Saxon churches, which would be remarkable in itself, and if so was the provision for a gallery for women?

[@nicolejosan6364]

This excavation begs for a follow up. Was anything discovered?

[@PatrickPoet]

You can follow Raksha on twitter @Raksha_Digs -- new shows coming up all of the time;)

[@Merylstreep1949]

That looks suspiciously like Craggy Island....

[@KnightRider872]

The answer toThe Time Team's question is in the video below. The reason they built the second replica chapel facing the original chapel on Looe island was due to many pilgrims drowning as they tried to visit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKu8ln6fgNRmpZosi=y6fOx1mbLhEsYCcS

[@michaelbrown2082]

Saint. Saint. Saint. Stmichael.

[@SIG442]

Now, is it me or does that monk's house wall (18:09) look like it was a fortified wall with slits for rifles? Those big bays on the bottom are very much medieval if not post medieval style created for ranged weaponry like bows, crossbows and rifles. I do not say it was a military building, not at all. Even farms could be fortified to some extend. Which might have been the case with this building as well. It seems to be thick enough to hold quite a beating, but the material suggests it might have been for show. Unless the sides were plastered so you wouldn't know what is on the inside, making it a bluff suggestion. For the holes above it, those look to me like beam slots for a upper floor for example. I don't think it would have been construction beams similar to our modern metal beams we use on the outside of a building when either repairing something or during construction. It wouldn't have made sense to have those so low to the ground with beams that thick. So either those are floor beams or some form of roof beam support.

[@ericanicksin6568]

I think maybe those holes were for beams and the basement has filled in a lot, but I am not an archeologist. I know that I've seen similar things in the old missions in the southwest. They have very thick walls just the same and used beams in the same manner. That's the fun part of all this, guessing what might have been!

[@esmeraldaweatherwaxe970]

I agree, in those days you had to fortify the place or lose it to raiders..

[@klondo]

I thought this was going to be a new episode.. not a rerun.. still gonna watch it lol

[@kurtbogle2973]

Helen is beautiful.

[@harbourdogNL]

She absolutely is.

[@onebylandtwoifbysearunifby5475]

"Oh, ey, it's got a great view. Good fishing. Can get ya good financing too. Jesus played on this very beach as a child, don't 'cha know."

[@judeirwin2222]

"Oh, aye." Not "ey" or "eye". Aye means yes. Got it?

[@colinp2238]

@@judeirwin2222 O arr eye got it.

[@julieyates405]

The 'Sea People', Phonecians or whoever they were, travelled to Europe to trade, so if Jesus played on the beach of Looe Island, he must have had connections with them! All very interesting really.

[@judeirwin2222]

@@julieyates405 And completely spurious.

[@markjohnson3279]

Wonder what the dating came out as regarding the bones that they did find.

[@chucky2316]

Post cheddar man but pre kebab maker man, somewhere in between chicken and chips man