The Boat on the Rhine, Utrecht (Netherlands) | S13E05 | Time Team

Watch episode with commentary here!: • Time Team Commentary: ...
Time Team have been invited by Dutch archaeologists to help rescue a 35-metre-long perfectly preserved Roman barge that once sailed the river Rhine in Utrecht, Netherlands. Their main interest is a previously excavated Roman ship. What starts as a routine investigation quickly develops into a dig that will forever change what we thought we knew of the Romans and the vessels they sailed in.
Series 13, Episode 5
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 #Utretch #Netherlands #RomanShip #TimeTeamDigs #Archaeology

[@wkehrman]

"Only problem was Caligula was slightly demented an a bit of a murderous megalomaniac." maybe the best line to ever come out of Time Team..

[@danielnystrom7310]

SLIGHTLY is the main word here 🤦‍♂️ he was a nuttcase!!

[@wkehrman]

The British penchant for understatement.....

[@koningbolo4700]

And I was (for a brief second) thinking they were talking about Robin...

[@patsutherland7284]

@@danielnystrom7310 0p9llgoijjjj5 I goglh

[@patsutherland7284]

9th July jjhhjh

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

I went to a public lecture by Time Team's Henry Chapman years ago. Being archaeology; beer happened afterwards. Henry laughed quite loudly when I told him I regarded Time Team as an archaeologically artefact. This episode is stratified proof that Dutch people can show emotion when very, very happy!

[@wewenang5167]

I THOUGHT GERMAN WHO DINT HAVE EMOTION....AND FOR US DUTCH PEOPLE SHOW TO MUCH OF ONE EMOTION...HIGH XD.

[@aliservan7188]

There are few things more joyful to witness than a really happy scientist

[@elisabethphd]

Right??? You can just tell this was one of the greatest moments of his career, and it’s all caught on film.

[@attorneycarissa]

That close up on the wooden clogs was priceless. 😄

[@dantealighieri9540]

Wooden clogs are approved as workshoes, just like the leather types (with steel enforcement for the toes) in the Netherlands. They offer the same protection.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

My favorite Time Team episode. I've been a Blacksmith for 30 years which included restoration and recreation work for the National Park Service. When the iron objects were shown in this episode, I almost jumped out of my chair. Unbelievably awesome, including the wood work. The preservation was fantastic to say the least. Now, I'm going to watch this episode again. I might even recreate some of the iron objects in the near future. Hopefully I can find the dimensions.....

[@cherub2918]

The lock looked cool!

[@nettlemere]

I've used something almost identical to the shears shown for dagging sheep. I wondered if that's what the Romans used it for. Were they transporting sheep by boat? or were they chopping something else with them?

[@noeraldinkabam]

Look at the site of the Utrecht Centraal Museum. Most of the stuf ends up there.

[@sezaicalskan5446]

için nkmfgff yi8 Uhyhv. .m

[@VRSVLVS]

@@noeraldinkabam The Meern 1 and what was found aboard it is actually displayed at the Castellum Hoge Woerd museum near to where it was found.

[@vorwald1968]

I was always a big fan of Time Team .. And now, my son Aaron will be become a archologist, so proud of him :)

[@daveydeboer2542]

So ive been watching Time Team a lot lately. This episode turns out to be almost in my backyard (300-400meters) i live in the suburb they were building here. Really great to watch!

[@Atrivion]

How does it look now where the boat is? Is it really a bicycle path there? =)

[@urbandiscount]

@@Atrivion No, it's been landscaped as a Roman army camp, with its intersection and that houses the Meern. Around it, the design indicates the vicus surrounding the camp and kitchen gardens. It's on the Limes long distance cycling route. Really special place. Go have a look.

[@Robin-ce5gm]

I’m going into archaeology and I got to say I love this show and I love Phil his passion is never ever wavering and you see his constant excitement

[@watermunteconomie3938]

How nice that Time Team has been invited to be a part of this dig, so cool to see you active in the Netherlands.

[@oligultonn]

Roman history is in a part Dutch and British history. Me as an Icelander envy the history of Britain and the Netherlands that spans thousands of years but my nations history only begins back to the 9th century with the Norse settling here.

[@MarcelNL]

I had completely forgotten about this episode! Gonna re-watch it when I have the time!

[@SanderBurger]

I've been hoping for this episode, the site is within walking distance of where I live.

[@SanderBurger]

Yes, they did, and put up a small monument representing the boat besides it. The bicyclepath is called the "Corbulo-path", coming off the "August Road" and running parallel to the "Lane of Claudius". Suffice to say that the finds and the history of them left their mark on the municipality around it. ;-) Streetview has a good angle on it if you input the coordinates "52.080563, 5.022850" in on Google maps.

[@kaptainkaos1202]

@@SanderBurger thank you so much for that great information! I hope to visit when COVID allows travel again.

[@SteveMikre44]

@@SanderBurger Thank you for the Google Maps coordinates. It was very interesting to see how it appears today...

[@Even-Bladeren]

Thanks for making this episode, great to get all this info

[@Even-Bladeren]

Tof!

[@Nessevan]

Why do archeologists always seem like the nicest bunch of people? Thoroughly enjoyed this episode.

[@anntee9036]

I lived for a few months in Osanbrück DE and traveled for a few days to Amsterdam, but never made it to Utrecht. Now I must return to visit. I like the contrast between Tony’s humor and the very staunch, straightforward style of the Dutch professionals onsite. Much respect for both the UK crew and the knowledgeable participants in the Netherlands! A beautiful country. Never knew they had such a rich Roman history, but not surprised. ❤

[@TheJxvi]

Amazing John the apostle was still alive. In his 70s when this boat was in use

[@josephkarl2061]

After Mick said "Fish traps" and before Tony said "Eel traps" I immediately said Eel traps out loud because here in New Zealand, the Maori people used a similar kind of construction to trap eels here.

[@MarijeK]

That is amazing, all the way at the other side of the earth...

[@tempestnz1]

they also ate.. eachother

[@barbaradyson6951]

Joseph Karl. Ely cathedral also has eel traps dating back to 7century ad.

[@Snaakie83]

It's very possible that it's the same technique, braught or improved by the first visitors/discoverers a few centuries later. I assume since the technique is so old, it's also widespread... And since a Dutchman discovered New Zealand 😉

[@hanskuijsten2380]

@@Snaakie83 It's not as much the age or the fact that the Dutch were early discoverers of the region, but this shape is simply the most logical shape for a fish trap. They were most likely developed completely separate from each other.

[@Yvolve]

I think it would be a great idea for a new series to revisit sites that have new evidence come up. Summarise the previous dig and compare with what is known now, to see where the story goes. Great episode as always!

[@lizeggar2421]

Love that idea!

[@oligultonn]

@@lizeggar2421 that makes three of us!

[@cameleonfleuri]

I really love that idea too !

[@papaquonis]

Even by Time Team standards, this is a brilliant episode.

[@jorisridderdevanderschuere1830]

I am a Dutchman now living in Canada, I liked this video very much, especially the scene at -19:45!!! L.O.L.

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

It's hard to be down in the dumps with the always upbeat and jolly Time Team. Thanks guys for brightening my outlook on life.

[@PaulMahon-w2b]

I like to think of these shows as a great brain 🧠 filter 😊

[@peterbriggs3408]

An episode I've never seen before! What a joy!

[@MrKiwi1960]

I live in Holland and love the time team. They are setting up the equipment to induce a coma due to my cancer. I wont get to see this episode. Damn you. :(

[@Timotei75]

Daaamn son, that sucks. I hope they're planning to bring you out of it at some point? Catch up with it then! All the best and good luck.

[@Uuuuuuurrgggggghhhhh]

Verschrikkelijk! Heel veel sterkte!

[@greendragonreprised6885]

That sounds worrying. Best of luck to you.

[@RolfStones]

Sterkte!

[@limafive]

Sterkte man, stay strong !

[@SIG442]

I would love to see Time Team return to the Netherlands and dig more sites. There are plenty of locations that need further investigation or are simply never dug at all. Actually never seen this episode before, not sure why but it was never aired in the Netherlands so far I am aware. Very happy to get this chance to see this episode! Thanks!

[@annamazzini1939]

Come fare per la sua email e confidenziale ed esclusivamente rivolte alla scuderia supermercato e posteriore della vendita di prodotti per il pagamento di cui appartamento in allegato la documentazione richiesta e posteriore della legge informazione per relativamente al sinistro del mouse ottico anteriore per relativamente ai dati che ti avevo

[@annamazzini1939]

Foto appartamento otte per relativamente alla pratica del mutuo che wvoksa la fattura per la sua riservatezza

[@annamazzini1939]

Ucraina Ungheria centrale del mutuo e posteriore e posteriore della prima rata del mutuo in allegato la documentazione richiesta in allegato wcas la fattura per le finalità indicate per relativamente al sinistro del mouse ottico USB e posteriore per relativamente al servizio di seguito il pagamento della prima giornata per relativamente ai dati in allegato grazie ciao ciao e buona giornata e buon anno anche a pedale freno posteriore della prima parte

[@margomoore4527]

The wooden planes, like ones my Dad used in the ‘50’s (they were already decades old)- be still my beating heart!

[@elizabethchamberlin1763]

With the pandemic its been a joy to watch this very interesting show which I never heard I love Phils temperment & jolly good laughter! It would be wonderful if it showed in the USA. Great Job all involved in making these documentaries 😀

[@Bsquared1972]

One of my favorite episodes, and truly ground-breaking archeology. (Excuse the pun!) Fascinating!

[@maurice2vd6]

Thanks again for this great episode. Time Team one of the best ever programs made. Teaching history, also How to look at the land NOW. Why is there a bumb in the field, a rock. How old is that road, why is there a city located where it is etc. Time Team fun to watch, you learn from it, How to look at thinks back then and now. Most amazed how they can scrap the soil down to the back then walking levels. some times thousands of years a go and able to tell quit exact the whole story .

[@RobBoudreau]

This has been and still is one of my favorite episodes. Outstanding archaeology, perfect weather, and the wonderful Dutch people make this such a joy to watch. The update from Erik on Time Team Official channel was great news too, finding out the Team helped make a difference and what has happened since.

[@gnrhubbs]

I can not find this update?

[@Brinta3]

@@gnrhubbs The new interview with Eric is called: Time Team Commentary: ‘The Boat on the Rhine’ | S13E05

[@oc2phish07]

Definitely up there with the very best Time Team excavations and episodes ever.

[@devonseamoor]

Great episode, thank you very much, for this exciting video. I live in Utrecht and didn't expect Time Team Classics to visit the Zandveld Roman fort. I would've visited the team and pay my compliments, if I'd known! Maybe I was in Britain, at the time? Due to my interest in Britain's archeology, the British Time Team episodes are fabulous. A true mix of teaching and entertainment.

[@hanshermans6987]

Fun fact: To honor this history, the streets in the new neighbourhood are named after Romans: Augustusweg, Borculolaan, Trajectushof, Claudiuslaan to name a few.

[@dinerouk]

There are a couple in NE England too. I remember Trajan was one.

[@CorvusCorvidae777]

@@BonnieGruesome It's in a different neighbourhood but yes, there is a Caesar Lane in Utrecht. ;-)

[@ianpatterson6552]

@@dinerouk In South Shields no less, near the Arebia fort.

[@GordonjSmith1]

A different 'style' Time Team, but none the worse for that. In fact I was wondering to myself if there were other digs Time Team could 'follow' that would also contribute to my understanding of UK and European history. I really learnt a lot from this. Bravo!

[@debrajabs9523]

So wish that the government would have thought it important enough to excavate the entire thing immediately. What a fantastic find.

[@grahamnash9794]

I remember when this was first broadcast years ago. But having seen it again, I've only just got to grips of the significance and how important the dig really was. Just seeing the reactions from the team said enough, but having locals fill in some details, started to paint a more complete picture. One of the more jaw dropping episodes with out doubt.

[@lindaschwab8873]

Even more fascinating than usual. Time Team is a treasure.

[@tubularap]

This happend about 40 km from where I live, and am watching this now. I've only seen the first day so far, but already excited that they are digging up a real roman boat.

[@Metalkatt]

it's cute when Phil gets to tease Tony about getting his hands dirty.

[@dean31black]

this is one of faves (my favourite is the double episode on nevis in the carribean) but this is next, i watch this many many times and always enjoy

[@nancyphillips2049]

Wow! 1936 years old! Amazing.

[@philjohnson1744]

The man uses foliage as a pocket square? Awsome.

[@johansmallberries9874]

Figures as he’s the wood/carpentry expert lol

[@grahambilling2135]

Another first time for me. Great discovering these gems after thinking I’d seen them all. Thank you

[@PtolemyJones]

I'm a bit surprised how often countries allow building over such sites before they can be explored. I do like these later episodes where Tony has finally learned to respect a trench.

[@notpublic7149]

How fantastic! ! A genuine reaction of happiness, for a man to work this project for so.many years, that his theory was correct, must have been very one of the best moments of his career, some of which is captured here. This film - that humans will watch as an.archive of this project thousands of years from now. I have to hope it will be quite popular in 2800 or 3000 , as exciting in 2005 as it is now. Time less, discovery.

[@fionad9913]

I was interested in the description of the single road through the marshland that the Romans had to protect, as the only road going through that area. The Allied armies in Operation Market Garden ran into exactly the same problem in the Netherlands, only one road for their tanks. My goodness, how some things never change.

[@petergunning6832]

Love this! I recently moved to Utrecht (and studying history). Going to map out all these sites and do a cycle tour of them

[@r.v.b.4153]

If you haven't done so already, you can e.g. go westwards to see Roman remnants. Just start off with the Roman castellum (fort) in the centre of Utrecht (DOMunder). They preserved the archaeological soil layers, so it's like walking through an excavation. No boats there though. There is one boat on exhibition in Castellum Hoge Woerd in the western part of Utrecht. They recreated the whole outline of the fort of this area with modern materials. There is also other stuff to see. Go westwards to Woerden and head into the local parking garage. They decorated this garage with some finds (and e.g. shapes of finds like a frog fibula) and got part of a boat on exhibition inside. The former 16th century city hall nearby houses a museum that has Roman finds on the top floor. Further westwards, there used to be a fort in Zwammerdam. There is a care institution for disabled people on the location of the former fort. I believe you can visit a cafe and possibly get some information about the local archaeology. There is more to see in Alphen a.d. Rijn at Archeon, which is an archaeological open air museum. They're reconstructing different Roman boats, and you can watch them do so (and even help) if you're lucky. There is also some archaeology on exhibition like the Bronze Age mass grave of Wassenaar. In Leiden, they have a park with earthen walls on the precise location of the fort. It's mainly a nice park to relax. In the city centre, there is the national archaeolgical museum, where there is enough to see from all around the Netherlands and other countries. If you head further towards the sea, you'll arrive at the spot where Caligula "conquered" the sea at the river mouth of the Old Rhine in Katwijk.

[@xavyps8277]

excellent work. I really dig your sense of humor and the quality of your work given the small time window. great filming also!

[@veldawells2839]

Absolutely beautiful Roman barge. Stunning. A shame that the whole boat could not be revealed. Maybe one day. So lovely to go to mainland Europe for early Roman archaeology. Such skill used to build this working river boat. The tools blew me away. The iron nails, the Mediterranean joinery, the chiselling scars, and the preservation of the wood was priceless. I can almost touch the boat. So exciting to watch. So many specialists. Wow! Thank you TT.

[@a.westenholz4032]

I love this episode. That is one beautiful incredible boat and such an amazing find. At least this episode (and a host of site documentation) recorded its existence for posterity.

[@debbiedavis-polimeni5785]

Thank you Time Team. I first read about the Sutton Hoo ship when I was a little girl in the mid 1960s. I was captivated by the story in the National Geographic. In 2018 I was lucky enough to see the treasures from the ship in the British museum. Perhaps one day I will be lucky enough to see the reconstructed ship. Keep the fabulous programs coming. 🙂

[@helenamcginty4920]

Goodness. One I managed to miss. Must have been on a late shift. Wonderful treat.

[@timjarvis5173]

I think the boat was put there to stop erosion. We done a similar thing to a friend's property. Love tour videos. Keep up the good work.

[@dinahmoore9610]

I thought I had seen all the episodes , but this one is new to me . Loved it !

[@dyveira]

The Roman soldier writing their name on the bowl makes sense from a military perspective. It was probably issued to him, or else he put his name on it so the other soldiers knew who it belonged to. Still do the same thing today.

[@Catonius]

'Degradation Specialist' made me chuckle.

[@bevanpope7924]

“Back in England we have a bloke called Steve who does that with a pencil” 🤣 his name was actually Victor!

[@robinsalario4372]

nice, i am dutch. my daughter studied english in utrecht and lived there a long time.

[@harovangalen5641]

Esther Jansma, the scientist who performed the dendro-dating on the boat and did the tour at the “Meern 1” has died today. Jansma was a professor in the Geosciences department at Utrecht University, a writer and a poet.

[@citizen916]

I just watched this episode and I looked her up to see that she had died. I came here hoping someone that said something,or else I was going to post it. Thank you!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

It's so cool to see 2,000 year old wood-planes. I've made a dozen of them myself.

[@tmkoson]

Would be AMAZING if in the teams re-launch on Patreon that they can go back to this boat and similar episodes. That would be what I want to see.

[@javajoe668]

One of my favorite episodes

[@geigertec5921]

My favorite part was when they showed the iron tools and the Romans had a crowbar that looked exactly like a modern one.

[@captainchaos3667]

Hey cool! I didn't even know you'd been to the Netherlands, let alone close to where I live.

[@Getpojke]

They did another one where they visited the Netherlands, pretty sure if you search Time Team Doggerland you should fine it. A lot of finds coming up on Dutch fishing trawlers & beach combing. Its amazing the amount of artifacts that are held in public hands in the Netherlands seemingly.

[@belendemaria1989]

Such an amazing and interesting dig!! That boat was really something! Loved this episode, learned a lot. Always eager for more. I wonder if they ever dug it up in the end.

[@fionadent7800]

In 2014 during the terrible floods on the Thames, I lived on the riverside at Egham opposite Datchet. The fast flowing sudden floods raised boats above the length of thier mooring ropes which intially angled the boats steeply then flooded them as the angle increased. The boat TT were were digging looked exactly like the 2014 flooded boats on the Thames. That actually might be a better explanation for the angle of the boat being dug. ???

[@ByronLina]

Great quality on these episodes

[@adamsjerome1839]

Reminiscent of the British Airways pilot who after losing all 4 engines over Iceland announced to the passengers, "we have a wee bit of a problem". The Brits are the ultimate masters of the understatement.

[@PaulMahon-w2b]

But the lip is stiff!!!

[@timyoung6953]

Well this is just brilliant.

[@dutchleedsls25]

Tony looking more like a local with that style Nike cap than he will ever know 😂

[@Getpojke]

Ahhh one of my favourite episodes. I know we shouldn't have favourites in life, but you were digging a big tangible thing! Even a layman could see what it was. I love the ephemera & ghostly nature of some of the impressions that some things leave behind, but here was a hulking big boat that you could almost refloat & sail down the water.

[@robertcorradi8573]

What a fantastic programme...... Captivating. Thank you.

[@angelikaswainson777]

That was truly exciting! Thank you! 👍❤️

[@lorrainemerry8661]

Victor is a fantastic artist.

[@jonrd463]

Given how long ago this episode was originally filmed, I don't know what the current disposition of the site is. If, as they said, it's now a bicycle park with the barge still in the ground, that's a shame. It belongs in a museum after going through the loving care of ancient artifact preservation specialists. Great episode, though!

[@DutchDi]

The remains are still in situ. The condition of the soil (heavy and wet clay) ensures proper conservation, in circumstances a museum will have trouble imitating. Archeologists know where to find this barge, so it's definitely not lost for posterity.

[@kagamisan9952]

Dr Phil was so bright on this episode and funny

[@TheGuccidadi]

Yet another great TT episode!!! Amazing, 85AD is insane!!

[@justmeagain38]

Very interesting subject matter! I love the accents! I'm an American so I don't hear enough of it!

[@floydfanboy2948]

What accents, hahaha

[@marionhulspas1391]

Like the fact that English and Dutch work together 👌

[@PaulMahon-w2b]

Aren't we all supposed too???😮

[@RalphEllis]

The rocks in the boat are ballast, to stop the boat turning turtle. Modern canal boats use concrete paving slabs. The Arles boat in France uses paving slabs. Mortice and tenon joints were common on Bronze Age boats, So this may be an earlier technique. R

[@lebeaulabuschagne9608]

Good to look at it for the second time. Just makes it more richer.

[@DuckReach432]

"The accepted one" scratched into am ancient Roman bowl, most likely by a soldier. I have a suspicion we may have glimpsed the punch-line of a joke that we missed (by a couple of millennia) the send-up of. You can imagine the bored young men ripping on one another when off duty.

[@hollyevolving]

I looked up a study, and the soil along the Rhine in the Netherlands has a neutral pH. What a treat, when so many of the places the team goes in the UK have the dreaded acidic soil that disintegrates organic materials!

[@davidorf3921]

I remember when this came out originally, I always wondered if the Barge was placed into the bank due to a flood damaging the bank to give them time to properly reinforce the side of the river, then afterwards maybe it was already covered in mud and debris and they just decided to leave it there.

[@panzerlieb]

That’s what I thought also. It looks like it got swamped in the bend of the river and they just left it that way.

[@mikeunum]

"The Boat on the Rhine" Utrecht (Netherlands) it is near my place where i life

[@jodyshepard9482]

What's another word for WOW? Just imagine touching that wood!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@danielnystrom7310]

That eel trap is amazing. Imagen the time it took to make it. Wow

[@Missangie827]

how cool that there are so many people there taller than our larger than life Phil!

[@luffegasen7711]

"But there is just so much we don't know about it!" ... Or should that have been "... know a boat it!"? ^^

[@TrapperAaron]

The fish traps I find amazing. The design is identical to traps I make and use today. The only difference is my traps are made from gavinized machine cloth and hog rings for hinges. The similarities are uncanny!

[@quietowl1246]

Superb episode. A pleasure to watch.

[@snazzypazzy]

I've been binging on Time Team last week and suddenly I see the name of my hometown in a title! Big surprise! Very interesting episode. In 2015 they opened the Castellum Hoge Woerd, close to this site, with a modern interpretation of the castellum that was there and it is very pretty. That's where they show the De Meern 1, the first both they did dig up. Also would have loved to see the landscape guy who's name has just slipped my mind here, because the land barely resembles what it looked like 2000 years ago. It's a shame they only filmed on one of the most boring parts of Utrecht (above ground) because it is a beautiful city.

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

New one on me and well worth the watch! TFS, GB :)

[@colinboneham7387]

Stunning absolutely stunning

[@averydizzle]

Every time Phil picked up something that was found in the captains quarters the shizzle lady took it out of his hands held it for a few seconds while she corrected his previous statement about the artifact and then proceeds to set it back down

[@gnarshread]

What an epic episode!

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

was excited for several reasons, and one of that the team were invited in the NETHERLANDS!!! and that Phil was the one to dig up the roman boat and that the people before him, made sure to install plastic all on top of the boat to preserve the dampness of the soil to preserve the boat. Shame that ALL the work they did, was to just date it, take pieces of it and rebury it all for a bike path!

[@chrisbassett8996]

the boat is just incredible

[@justjane2070]

I see the team has taken their British weather with them 😀

[@lancehunziker5725]

How fun it would be to sit and have a few pints with Phil.

[@bevanpope7924]

I met Phil once, we spoke about our mutual passion for flint tools - wish I had known then that we share a passion for beer too!

[@brianhaskard1042]

Not quite sure how the really clever Dutch people understood Phil? Sometimes I struggled! "Stone the crows".

[@brianreynolds4631]

This episode I've always wanted to view & thanks to You Tube I can.

[@elisabethphd]

I can understand why people think it’s sad they didn’t excavate the whole thing but 1. I’m not sure they would have gotten to saw off big hunks of it if they were planning on digging it up and preserving it and 2. it would take a massive amount of space in a controlled environment to store it (it’s 35-ish meters long!) which would be hugely expensive. By leaving it in place it will hopefully still be protected and maybe can be excavated in the future.