The Amesbury Archer : 20 Years On

[@rick7043]

What time we live. Thanks to KZbin I can go back 4000 years ago and travel to UK...FROM MY PHONE in northern California. Thanks to all that made it possible.

[@mossygreen2790]

Oh, yes, certainly made travelling back in time a possibility for anyone & made the world more accessible. Huge thanks & appreciation to SirTim Berners-Lee. He give the www to everyone for free!! He could have been the richest man Ever.

[@belwynne1386]

Love the Phil statue!

[@WayneBraack]

Time Team!

[@judygreenwood4696]

Phil Harding is on my bucket list, for having 1 1/2 hours to visit with him, where I buy him a drink in an English pub in my fantasy. (Currently stuck in horrid Texas, USA) Sigh! As I am in my 80's it may never happen. Still, a girl can dream. I also laughed when I spotted his statue.

[@peggyjones3282]

The only way to improve it, is if he were wearing those short cutoff jeans. 😆

[@eloquentsarcasm]

The statue of Phil is glorious! That man has spent his working life finding answers to our past, and is the epitome of a "salt of the earth" kind of man. His connection to this area is decades long, and the work he and the diggers that uncovered the archer has advanced our knowledge immensely.

[@Jordan_Starr]

@@judygreenwood4696 I love this and I wish I could make it come true for you! I watch time team to fall asleep to most nights and I've had some rather unusual dreams about our Phil 😅😅 I'm 35 so he's not the typical heart throb for women of my age but I'd love to join you for a drink with him in my imagination haha :) x

[@murrieteacher]

My partner and I studied Archaeology to post graduate level at the University of QLD Australia and when we visited the UK, the Archer was on our list. We spent a few hours just looking at the display. Eleven years ago this month, wow!

[@GrrregDavies]

Excellent documentary. I'm a Canadian whose interest in archaeology developed decades ago when Time Team played on one of our public broadcasters. Thank you so much for sharing this so freely with the world. I hope, one day, that I will be able to visit the Archer in person. Such a fascinating story.

[@Gremriel]

I still go through the entire series once in a while.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

...I'm a simple farmer's daughter and I LOVE this stuff!!! My secret other life was to be either Indiana Jones or some turn of the century Investigator.

[@MikeMorley-o3h]

Yep TVO got me hooked as well

[@joshschneider9766]

​@@Eowyn3Prideit's actually kind of astounding how much archaeology ends up getting found on UK farms. Especially considering centuries worth of ridge and furrow ploughing heh.

[@KernowekTim]

Superb. A 'Meant To Be' discovery, of hugely significant importance. Such a tiny Island Nation, yet so marvellously and richly endowed in archaeological magnificence. I am proud to be British, and Cornish, by the grace of God and The Ancestors. Thank you, to all those responsible for locating, saving, preserving, and bringing to our enlightenment; 'The Amesbury Archer. Bravo indeed!

[@matthewhudson615]

And proud to enrich the archaeological history of this planet Earth in it's full amazing human history. To think he may actually have been one of the first to bring metal working onto your island and how far technology has come in just a few centuries and here on the world wide web together, I in Spain but same planet 🌍🙂❤️

[@adrianadams832]

One of the most fascinating programmes I have seen in all of my 64 years. Riveting and so informative right from the start, had me absolutely spellbound - have now watched it 4 times. Hats off to you all, a truly inspiring programme, thank you all so much.

[@Just_Sara]

And I bet every time you watch it, you learn even more. This was a really great program. :)

[@LM-pm2ir]

Phil should of been knighted a long time ago…. along with all the members of the original time team. Their dedication and hard work brought knowledge and understanding of archeology to the British public and world.

[@thehairyhominid9972]

Here, here!!!

[@MrNas42]

Utterly brilliant! The story is told so, so well. Knowing the Archer will always be beyond our reach, but the long journey of knowledge continues.

[@pauldenney7908]

Wow, was it really twenty years ago? I have a very special connection to the Amesbury Archer as I got to portray him in the Meet the Ancestors special and myself and Julie reconstructed his costume and equipment for the episode. Of course had we know then what we know now we would have reconstructed it completely differently. Ironically Julie had worked on reconstructed costumes for the Pfahlbaumuseum in Germany but before the isotope analysis we didn't know there was a link. Great documentary and nice to catch up with what's happened since.

[@joshschneider9766]

It's absolutely astounding what modern archeology can tell us isn't it? Every time I come to this channel I am so blessed. Thanks for doing your thing and helping share these stories. Means a lot to me and a heck of a lot of others.

[@ClaerisGames]

I love that there's a statue of Phil in that museum, but it's a bit odd that he's holding a pot instead of that massive lump of flint he's so proud of. He loves his flint lol

[@michaelterry3885]

Wow..!! What a lovely documentary . I enjoyed this immensely.... I wish they could do one of these on every exhibit in their Museum.. This was very informative , entertaining and just plain great fun.. Thank you very kindly wessexarcheology.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Random comment: I really found it fascinating when he mentioned how, especially that sound of the van motor strongly triggered his memories. The human mind is an incredibly interesting thing isn’t it? A sound, a smell, the weather, the temperature, the sound or timbre of someone’s voice. These tiny random things can seemingly unlock ones past experiences....it’s like magic.

[@joshschneider9766]

Well there's what's called flash bulb memories that blossom and take super strong root when your emotional state is heightened as his no doubt was. As a result of the instant installation of these memories into our long term memory the brain turns out to prioritize them. People have had similar reactions to things like world war two, or the recent discovery of tombs at saqqara Egypt. For me every time I smell charred wood I flash back to a house fire I witnessed as a kid. Memory is a deep ocean we only understand parts of and I too find it fascinating

[@helenamcginty4920]

I have read that smell has the strongest link to memory. It annoys me at times when a scent wafts a faint memory into focus but it slips away before I can recall it properly.

[@archygirl1750]

What an amazing journey for you all. I''m an American (southwestern US near Mexico) archaeologist, and while I love my work here, I'm fascinated by what all of you do. Great program, and thank you.

[@schoolingdiana9086]

Do I hear the inimitable Alice Roberts narrating??? And love the touch of showing the Uncle Phil statue! --Always appreciate Jackie’s perspectives, too . . . A left handed archer?

[@j0nnyism]

If she’s inimitable then you already know it’s her!

[@mkrmkr3805]

Left handed archer was my first thought too. Fab documentary.

[@tynebar]

Seeing as it says Prof Alice Roberts in the credits, I think, without digging around, we can safely say it was her.

[@markcopsey4729]

@@j0nnyism Her 'ow' sound is very distinctive.

[@Poecilia1963]

@@markcopsey4729 Where is that from? I've often wondered (tbh and this is extremely shallow but it grates on me a bit).

[@kevinmccarthy8746]

My wonderful friends, in your opening of the front doors of the building you all walked by a beautiful statue of PHIL, one of my TIME TEAM favorites. How fun to see this in a related show.

[@grumpynanny7402]

You highlighted the archer and his tools. Not his gold. Very apt way to make him human . Thank you , it was brilliant piece of work for the archaeologists and film crew.

[@RobBoudreau]

Fascinating documentary, very well done. One point made I found a little surprising. When they were discussing how they felt as an archer his right arm should have been more developed than his left, but the opposite was true. I had watched a documentary some years ago where they were trying to decide whether a skeleton had been an archer. They found that in actuality a life-long archer who is right-handed does have a more developed left arm, due to holding that arm against the bow's compression. Seeing this now, I have to wonder if that earlier analysis is true. Or perhaps the Archer was left-handed.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Southpaws unite!

[@garysmith3173]

Rob,as a heavy longbowman it is normal for the drawing arm and shoulder area to be more developed. He may well have been,like me a lefty,he may have used only a light poundage bow,or may have been an infrequent archer. As there are no surviving bows it’s difficult if not impossible to judge how heavy a draw weight these early bows may have had. Hope this helps. Regards Gary.

[@lesleyohanlon209]

If you look at mediaeval portrayals of battle scenes, you will spot the odd left-handed archer

[@theoutdoorappreciationsoci8858]

I’m right handed but left eye dominant, I therefore have to shoot my bow left handed.

[@badgerpa9]

If you think about his leg he likely used a cane or crutch in his left hand strengthening the arm.

[@peterc2248]

I always considered Phil Harding to be portrayed as a bit of a cartoonish character on Timeteam which is a shame. As a layperson with a measure of historical curiosity, I am fascinated by Archaeology and people like Phil, Alice Roberts, Helen Geake, Mick Aston et al have provided a very positive view of the discipline over the years. Obviously there's a lot of 'jazzing up' for TV audiences but nevertheless they have all been wonderful ambassadors for history.

[@Rover200Power]

I've been to see the archer in Salisbury Museum, the quality of the artefacts found with him is quite incredible.

[@joshschneider9766]

The astounding collection of purely local archeology such as the archer in that building is gobsmacking honestly. That entire place is nerd heaven lol

[@SomeDaysYoureBarbra]

That is so cool. I had the first fanboy moment when the principals in this video passed by that statue of Phil Harding! What a wonderful surprise tucked inside such an exciting show. Thank you for putting this up.... you made my day.

[@joshschneider9766]

Me too on the fan boy moment. I would never have thought to make it but it makes me so happy that Phil has a statue. He finished earning it decades ago and kept on digging

[@badgerpa9]

I love seeing the beautiful Jacqueline McKinley, she explains things so I can understand it. I have enjoyed watching Time Team and learning from her. I just wish there was more video of her I could find.

[@margaretwebster2516]

Loved the statue of Phil Harding as they walked in.

[@ELCADAROSA]

I was going to ask about the statue. I recognized that profile immediately.

[@joshschneider9766]

Absolutely unmistakable isn't he? An honor was rarely so well deserved.

[@rotironwerks]

A wonderful tribute.

[@Ben1159a]

Such a great show, and that statue of Phil.... just amazing.

[@Neilhuny]

A fantastic documentary, well worth watching! Hearing from those originally involved and seeing what they have since learned has been fascinating. I particularly like the work Sam Fieldhouse and Wessex Archaeology are doing with young people in explaining their past and helping them learn about human history. The link with Tim Peake was also great - what a lucky school! Long may you continue to do what you do!

[@diananelson3702]

Fascinating. The DNA and isotope analysis have added a lot to our understanding. Thanks for sharing the newer findings.

[@joegarry8983]

No mention of his height or did I miss it, really enjoyed this video and thinking back to my own excitement and sense of wonder when one day I found quite by accident a flint arrow head, I can fully appreciate the feelings of the archaeologists who discovered and dug this amazing last resting place of the Amesbury archer.

[@MollyMiaow]

I am struck how the Amesbury Archer, who obviously was cherished in his community, has had his humanity removed in the exhibition and turned into a collection of bones. I wish there was a way to show reverence for his personhood ❤

[@joyplummeridge6940]

A wonderful video about the Amesbury archer, made even sweeter by the statue of Phil.

[@chrisforrest9482]

Dear Wessex, I confess I have become enamored of your reporting videos, and these two latest videos, Stonehenge and The Amesbury Archer, are your all time best (so far). It was great fun to see the life-sized Phil Harding result of the laser session (P:S: Where can I get one?😄) but, even though the archaeologists' jawing party was a little bit interesting, your video really took off when Jackie began explaining the man himself. I have been interested in The Archer since I first heard about him. That was when it was hypothesized that he had been riding his horse through a western european forest when his horse galloped, full tilt too close to a tree and slammed the rider's knee to smithereens. He then hobbled across Europe to Stonehenge (which was then thought to be a place of healing) where he was cured of his afliction only to die some years later of an absess in his right jaw. Somewhat later I learned about "The Companion". He,at that time, was surmised to be a son of the former, and it was father and son who made gold trinkets for the people who came to Stonehenge for one reason or another. And there I was, hearing bits and pieces about The Archer and becoming more and more confused until today. The romantic horse riding-hobbling story has fallen by the wayside in favour of something more probable, which is a good thing. I prefer real to supposed. I will be waiting for further developments concerning this intriguing man from the past. With heart felt thanks from Catalonia. 🥰🤠

[@nikbear]

Absolutely wonderful, I find the archer's story fascinating and this documentary was excellent 👏

[@reginaromsey]

It will be so interesting when a holographic view of the grave and it’s contents becomes a part of the exhibit. That way it will be possible for the lay person to see the arrowheads showing at one level, the gold objects as they were placed, and most of all, how the body was actually placed in 3D rather than collapsed flat. Although they could mount 3D printed bones into a separate exhibit rather like Sue the Tyrannosaurus!

[@alienfish8396]

At point 24:42 in timestamp values where Jackie is discussing familerial similiarities, the photo's number references are shown as 1289 and 1236 in the illustration yet 1291 and 1238 in the photos. Why would that be WA? Excellent programme!

[@davidnorcott817]

Those are different context numbers given to the 'cut' of the graves and the skeletal remains, as well as any distinct 'fill' episodes - in the Archer's case the cut was 1289 and the skeleton 1291

[@dotcassilles1488]

Is that difference in numbers so the different photo's can be referenced in the report of the excavation? I thought it was so the photographs showing how the skeleton was found in the grave cut are highlighted/referenced in the reports as different to the photographs that show the bones reassembled outside of the grave. Blessings from South Eastern Australia, Dot

[@mark.J6708]

The Statue of Phil is OUTSTANDING!!! He is an icon figure and an inspiration.

[@Andy_Babb]

Greetings from Massachusetts! I’m always so impressed with the production quality of these videos. Such great info and super interesting!!

[@AreHan1991]

Fantastic program! I’ve read a lot about Neolithic Britain and the Amesbury Archer himself, but it adds another dimension to see the people who were there, digging, and analysing afterwards. The osteoarcheologist Jacqueline was amazingly good at explaining things in a clear, none-technical way. She should be a teacher! 👍🏾👍🏾

[@kariannecrysler640]

Fascinating information from the bone’s. Personal thoughts from the digger’s. Analysis of the grave good’s. Envisioned futures for site’s, museums and archaeologists.❤

[@tarlcabbot2551]

Amazing work! Well done to all involved.

[@opxlescent]

Fantastic video! Thank you for putting this together.

[@harrietlyall1991]

“Doug was asked to go and dig”, so presumably Doug then dug!

[@brandonlee6158]

Also Doug found a bug while he dug, his name was also Doug, Doug the bug.

[@keithm603]

Once again, fascinating.

[@yensid4294]

I would love to own a copy of that illustrated children's book & comic book. Great video & looks like a lovely town/community to live in :) Beautiful country I hope to visit one day

[@Fatspurios]

Used to walk my dog right over were he was found. Amazing finds.

[@Tom_Quixote]

Disgusting to think your dog was shitting and pissing on that priceless site.

[@carwynthomas5836]

This is insanely incredible it’s impossible to put into words, this man could arguably be the most important person in the history of the Uk. A real amazing glimpse into what potentially humanity once was.

[@barbmcconnaughey3070]

Another well done film!

[@anniebodyhome1000]

Hoping, at some point, someone says; "We're getting the band back together!"

[@mossygreen2790]

Ha, ha, yes! Got to have a reunion & tour?

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Brilliant documentary! Thank you for this!

[@theresacrubaugh2095]

I have an idea about presenting this incredible find. Since various things were found in different layers, would it be possible to recreate that using various levels of plexi-glass? You could even angle the plexi-glass "shelving" if needed. I suspect the levels in which the artifacts were found could offer more knowledge in the future. It would also simulate what it was like for the archaeologists and could be used to teach future archaeologists. Of course, with all the new technology out there, there may be no reason to use the original artifacts in presentation.

[@kc3718]

did i not see this at Devizes museum some years ago or has it always been a Salisbury ? or is it replicated ?

[@abisu5273]

Out of interest, are you the same Wessex Archaeology at the Archaeology Fair at Sheffield Weston Park last week (July 2022)

[@davidnorcott817]

Yes - we're all over the place :)

[@abisu5273]

@@davidnorcott817 Ha.. lovely bunch and fab to be allowed to handle the neolithic finds.

[@Vanadisir]

The lucky few to have been there as he came out of the ground.... The glass box and the white pebbles make it look like he is an aquarium ornament, which I can't unsee now.

[@helenel4126]

One of the speakers said he would rather be a lawyer than an archaeologist? Being a recovering lawyer myself, I think he's daft!

[@girlnorthof60]

I have questions, please. Would he not be using a cane to walk better, being physically disabled? Any remains of a cane or handle (wood now gone of course) & the bone pin looks (to me) like a miniature version of one? A metal worker would no doubt have an elaborately made handle/fittings at least. Also, a boar tusk would also make a really good cane handle. Any signs of a mobility aide in the grave? Thank you, everyone. I learned so much more from this. 🙏

[@gazgano]

Fabulous input. Rams horns are used for cane handles today still 👍

[@girlnorthof60]

@@gazgano Thank you! A very good point, Ram's horns ARE still used for cane handles today. 👍 cheers!

[@wadeadkins4927]

thank you for this informative documentary!

[@archaeologists]

We're now on Patreon! www.patreon.com/Wessexarch To ensure our KZbin site is sustainable, and to fund new content, we are asking for your support. As an educational charity our aim is to make all our content freely available, so everyone can have the opportunity to learn, but documentary videos are expensive. By supporting us on Patreon, you are helping to make sure our content grows and is available for all. All contributions are very welcome, any amount you can provide will go a long way. Thank you so much!

[@Watcher1852]

GREAT TO SEE U AGAIN JACKIE HOPE ALLIS WELL

[@neilgadsby3924]

That was terrific. Thanks.

[@MrSOLOPIANIST]

Absolutely brilliant ... fascinating ... rivetting

[@cathleen6104]

Given The Archer's physical limitations, his asymmetrical upper arm strength, the presence of boar's tusks that may be implicated in metal working, all this might imply that he was a metal worker...someone revered for the 'magic' of metal production from ordinary rock and interred as an elite.

[@cathleen6104]

oops. should have waited for the 40minute mark for just that possibilty.

[@mkrmkr3805]

Fab documentary, very interesting. Thank you Wessex Archeology. 👏

[@alanatolstad4824]

Fascinating.---Thank-you.

[@robertkreiling1746]

Very interesting indeed !

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

How amazing would that be, having a museum display in such a way that the depth is indicated. If it was possible, imagine having a display of these items in situ but the soil is totally transparent. Like, items as they were found, as they had lain for hundreds/thousands of years, all suspended in a totally clear gelatinous type matrix. OMG that would be so cool to see. It would help to add the archeological part of the items story. Usually they have the farmer whose field it is, then the person who first found the item in that field and they show the item all cleaned up and in a glass case with a little label, or gingerly held in b’glove’d hands - sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I just mean gloves, someone wearing gloves when handing the item. It would be nice to have, see and understand more fully the process and the people, that process of archeology. But having the “see-through soil” and being able to look at the items and the layers above and below. How and where each item was placed, perhaps the order of placement. OMG 😳 I think that would be flipping incredible

[@annastevens1526]

It sounds like something that could be done using 3D printed replicas and a clear resin block...? Or, as tech continues to advance, as a 3D VR display. It would be awesome to see the dimensionality of these sites? Similarly, I'd love to be able to see 3D placement within landscape more effectively - ideally with commentary such as that which amazing landscape archaeologists like Stewart Ainsworth are able to provide!

[@joshschneider9766]

Also thanks for being a thoughtful caretaker for future dna studying archeologists Dr McKinley!

[@cbelldavis24]

Can a facial reconstruction be done on his skull or a 3D printed version of his skull to see what his face really looked like?

[@alanboots1106]

Brilliant video, and Dr Alice Roberts voice is wonderful

[@annazaman9657]

Is that Uncle Phil's statue? Love the pose

[@SL-sd3sg]

What were the gold items used as?

[@spalmer4609]

Well done!

[@SL-sd3sg]

When I was at junior school in the mid 60’s, we had items loaned to us, we studied the story of cocoa, sheep’s wool and the weaving trade, and the moon lander. We were also taught about the slave trade too.

[@starcrib]

Tremendous Documentary and film Production- I totally enjoyed everyone's experience and ongoing joy, expertise and comprehensive understanding and possibilities of who the archer 🏹 and the companion were. Thanks for this : a great story of 44 centuries of discovery and scientific trajectories. 🗣🏹 🌍👥️️

[@joshschneider9766]

Also I thought you could take a little of the gold and do a mass spectrograph analysis to figure out it's alloy?

[@AMRosa10]

What is very striking about the actual physiology of the Amesbury Archer, is how much it parallels the myth of Hephaestus (Vulcan), the Greek god of Smiths, who is said to have had a withered leg. Wouldn't it be interesting if this man from 2300 BCE, living and dying on the Salisbury plain, was actually so talented and renowned a metal worker, that stories about him became legends that were told and retold, migrating back to the continent and they found their way into the myths of the Greek gods, and is why Hephaestus is said to have had a withered leg.

[@cliffordfreeman7829]

Well done.

[@maxsdad538]

I LOVE the bust of Phil Harding... I want one in my garden.

[@patriciajrs46]

Amesbury in Wilcher. The UK. It and your voice are fascinating. Thanks for all of this.

[@4002corbe]

Wiltshire

[@lucinda2329]

I'm no expert by any means, but is it possible he was bell beaker the metal working tools, archery the arrowheads themselves and his place of orgin in the alps

[@hamingjure]

So fascinating!!!

[@janmitchell641]

That was most fascinating , thank you.

[@layalabi1667]

Wonderful!! Thank you!!

[@emmafre-haack1746]

It blowes my mind…thanks a lot.

[@CandyflossOverkill]

Well done Wessex!

[@Becca2334]

Thank you…phenomenal! 💝

[@mariadowler1279]

Brilliant, thankyou.

[@casteretpollux]

Very good!

[@bristolfashion4421]

it's such an interesting idea that thousands of years ago, there was a hugely venerated individual who we would now label as 'disabled' - lots to learn there...

[@davidpowell5437]

They used to say - "He took his secrets to the grave..." These days you wonder why anybody bothered! That was really interesting. It was great to see how fieldworkers were allowed to exercise their judgement and work on to keep a site secure. I'm very happy to see that this discovery has been used to engage the interest of modern kids. It was fascinating to be reminded of just how much science, especially DNA research has progressed over a pretty short period. And, dare I say it? Yup! - Freedom of Movement turns out to be something of a tradition... 😁

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Europeans and central Asians moving mixing wandering traveling and trading carrying skills and taking their origins in their bones and DNA.... and so far back they connect to many 🌌🧙‍♂️

[@sandrah5405]

Britain has always been a nation of immigrants.

[@nickmiller76]

"Freedom of movement" is irrelevant when there are no countries, so your last comment is just meaningless virtue-signalling.

[@gazgano]

His sidekick could have been an apprentice 😀

[@casteretpollux]

I'm only here for the beakers.

[@conniead5206]

About the most fun thing about the advancements in DNA tech is that it has shown that most past theories about Homo Sapiens in different regions have been wrong. People groups that have been in an area for a very long time often turn out not to be descendants of the first or even second peoples that settled there. Or they have a much more diverse heritage than they believed. In addition to the genetic admixture from other species of hominids. Since the “archer” was from Central Europe it seems to me he may have brought a different way of doing some things with him. If it was an improvement wouldn’t it at least caused a subtle change? Maybe a blending of techniques? Of course, he could have found the local techniques for whatever were better. I guess a comparison of artifacts related to what was found in his grave with the same found in graves likely a hundred years older might show a change if there was an abrupt change. Even if it was minor.

[@wandapease-gi8yo]

Now they need to do a 3D exhibition of the dig with all the items shown where they were in space (dirt) as the dig progressed. Imagine being able to virtually dig by using a cursor and finding each item!

[@Namaerica]

Thank you.

[@hiccups55]

That woman was Time Team!

[@Tom_Quixote]

This video makes it sound like they botched the excavation first and then bungled the display case.

[@christopherharris6145]

I loved seeing the statue of Phil Harding.

[@carl9148]

I remember in Ancestors, hearing about this find and I remember, the Archer, as they call him sometimes, was a man in his late 30's getting towards his 40's, he was a man reaching his prime and he was killed while travelling on the road, hunting with a younger man, 20 years younger than him, now mostly believed as the Archer's son, a fellow archer and hunter too, the cause of death of the Archer suggests, they think now, an attack perhaps, maybe he and his son, were ambushed on the road, his son lived, injured, maybe, but, the Archer must have died, I think, a little later after the attack, he was pushing 40-odd though, so. who knows? My memory is rubbish though, it'll come back to me soon, eventually.

[@dangerouswitch1066]

amazing

[@xtm2barton212]

The background music is terrible.

[@kevinchambers1101]

Loved Phil's statue but he should have been holding a piece of flint instead of a pot.

[@lancetison5856]

the statue of PHIL is awesome