The Lost Iron Age Fortress In Wittenham | Time Team | Timeline

The Iron Age hill fort in Wittenham is an impressive monument. From behind its perimeter ramparts the hilltop offers commanding views of the Thames and the surrounding Oxfordshire landscape, but it is dwarfed and overlooked by a neighbouring hill less than 150 metres away. What did the Iron Age tribe use this second, much larger, hill for?
It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit, the world's best history documentary service and get 50% off using the code 'TIMELINE' bit.ly/3a7ambu
You can find more from us on:
/ timelinewh
/ timelinewh
This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries, please contact [e-mail]

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

Memory Eternal to Professor Mick Aston. He will always be there in spirit! I hope they bring this program back and start fresh and new...

[@twobluestripes]

It’s officially returning, airing original new programs on KZbin! I’m a Patron, helping to fund it a little at a time.

[@stackstheripper3056]

@@twobluestripes when?

[@TheGreenAnorak]

I didn't know prof Aston had passed. r.i.p Mick.

[@annarushlau9722]

So sad to hear about Mick! I’m a new fan and I always love hearing his insights! Plus he and John seem to see eye to eye well on the geophys. Rest In Peace Mick!

[@pollyg562]

i agree he was an amazing man how he went all those years with not a single punch up shows he was a master of people

[@mrbrianc]

Just being able to dig out a piece of pottery that hasn't been touched by a human in 2500+ years would be absolutely amazing. I'm not sure how many of these episodes I've watched multiple times, but I usually learn something new each time. One of the best shows that has been aired on television.

[@lorrainearmstrong7587]

I'm on my second go-around at watching them all. Used to just watch the ones on tv, and THEN I found this!!

[@annarushlau9722]

I’m a new fan and I’m OBSESSED!! I love the respect for the finds and area, and the research put into many of these digs, especially the medieval and tudor digs, is incredible and thorough! The straight forward programming without added “drama” is so pleasing! None of these manufactured “accidents” that are over acted minor mishaps in more recent programs.

[@craemac]

Time Team Reruns! Can't get enough...

[@OakCityGamers]

“NO NEWTS IS GOOD NEWTS!” Lol!!!

[@omarra6781]

I burst out laughing at that. I was not expecting that, even thought I probably should have, which made me laugh harder.

[@plookngo67]

no newts is bad newts because they are rare and protected

[@krunchieKyn]

Me: another upload..yaay😍. Also me: it's past midnight. I'm sooo going to wake up late for work tomorrow😖

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

You must train yourself 😊

[@bethbartlett5692]

*Stewart is Boss!* That man is just so intelligent and he has an "Eagle-eye" for the Environment. *He really deserved/s a bit of Recognition for all his "saves"!* 🏆 Beth Tennessee, USA 🍀🇺🇸

[@roefane2258]

The introductions are fantastic - “a problem with some newts” 🤣🤣🤣

[@franciscodanconia4324]

But it got better.

[@hajow9303]

RIP Professor Mick Aston

[@rutvikbalvally7682]

Oh no. Didn't know. May he rest in peace

[@aserta]

Great man, and a massive loss for the historic community. May he rest in peace.

[@bethbartlett5692]

He must soar with the Stars and he now knows, our Souls really are Eternal Energies. He was the most endearing man. I know his Team, Family, and Friends miss him so, here in the Physical. God grant him eternal Abundant Positive Energies 💫

[@JGrowl-er9md]

@@bethbartlett5692 a beautiful sentiment, but he'd be annoyed. Mick Aston was a proud atheist, long before it became fashionable.

[@LilieDubh]

It's amazing how much history turns up in even one trench. This is why I love the UK.

[@karlkarlos3545]

Do people really believe the UK is unique in this?

[@schizophrenia6402]

@@karlkarlos3545 UK is nothng compare to egypt and china...

[@cheetah6881]

And all this delivered by mighty Baldrick 😅

[@John-mh6mi]

The history shared on this channel is absolutely wonderful, thank you.

[@gilbert8162]

I love watching these. Having binged The Last Kingdom and now binging the books, book 9 now, these videos really help me better picture the layouts of locations better. And makes me really want to go back to finish working on my advanced degrees in history.

[@ethanwilliam9944]

It's really cool that they took the newt into consideration before commencing with the dig.

[@garywall5769]

"No Newts were harmed in the filming of this episode"

[@bonniesaxe9460]

😂

[@firefox5926]

well other than the one the mower caught...probably lol

[@karinedaly2590]

No newt is good newt !

[@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft]

@@karinedaly2590 Hey now! Newts great, especially as pets 😀

[@Du-Masses]

I love ❤️ watching them de-newt the land. I’m not sure what that says about me.

[@grapeshot]

That's one thing about Britain you don't have to go to Pompeii or Herculaneum to find Roman archaeological sites.

[@oe3567]

Yes

[@Kmac005]

A beautiful rainbow is present around the 31:00 mark on the right side of the screen.

[@jek__]

archaeology has some of the best image analysis sampling techniques i've ever seen. Not their computers, but the digging itself. Essentially each trench is an image sample, and they really do as much forensics as possible to figure out how to dig the least amount of trenches and learn the most. Essentially, its an image recognition algorithm that minimizes data inputs while maximizing picture quality. Interesting to see how they aim for edges, places where there is a difference or a wall they can point to. I think theres something to be learned here, for computer image analysis efficiency

[@Go-Dawgs]

We all forget how great Tony is in this show! He's so necessary for us!

[@karanfield4229]

I love the nearly always present, big black cloud formations in the background in English digs!! . It gives an ominous mysterious twist. Can imagine Heathcliff and Cathy walking hand in hand across the moors....😲🕊 LOVE LOVE LOVE England. 😊

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

thank you

[@andreasleonardo6793]

Nice video in researches of proving substance in lost irony age ...with clearly explaining history records behind

[@kevinvilmont6061]

“ No newts is good newts” instant classic

[@noelpam]

Gussie Finknottle lives!

[@barryeva9186]

Thanks!

[@kcrcbest]

nice rainbow in the back round :) this is very interesting video

[@Alasdair37448]

I think this debate whether the walls of a hill fort were for defense or display is quite silly on of the key tenants of war is to impress your enemy, a bit of theater if you like. The walls around the hill fort probably did both they helped defend the fort from attack but also deterred an attack by being rather impressive. We do this today with things like helicopters and tanks. Often the presence of something like an apache helicopter is enough to dissuade the enemy from attacking without actually having to fight.

[@gregoryrollins59]

Nice dig. I enjoyed it vary much. Peace and agap'e.

[@carolnewton496]

I think Tony had way to much fun with the word Newt.

[@frankharrison217]

I h8 u time team!!! I love you

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

Yah hate what yah love my friend.....

[@Wisconsin.pikachu]

That little village was used longer than the US has been a country 🤣🤣

[@Tawadeb]

And New Zealand!!

[@woodchild2093]

Well the UK wasn't either 😂😂

[@maxb4074]

A million years of newt evolution said "get the heck outa here"

[@ericteipen]

Coming from a family of very large farmers here in the U.S. my big question is this. How do you compensate the farmers whos land you dig up and deny them use of? You blokes never speak a word about this. WHY?

[@okienative4785]

Because it's a dumb question. Obviously they have permission of the land owner. Which they state nearly every time. It's not like the farmer comes out and there they are, what a surprise. Invaded.

[@damionkeeling3103]

The couple of trenches they dig are minute compared to the size of the fields they're in and they fill the dirt back in afterwards. Sheep at most would be grazed on the hills here so the loss of pasture equivalent to a small suburban back lawn is negligible. A previous dig was done in some kind of crop field like wheat but again it was a tiny rectangle of actual damage that wouldn't even be 0.5% of the field.

[@classicambo9781]

When they do cut into the crop they estimate the tonnage lost and compensate accordingly with market value. It has been covered in a few episodes before. A lot of farmers see themselves as conservators of the land, and are more than willing to improve their knowledge of and care for the land during their guardianship to pass on to the next generation as well. It's sad how individualistic the US culture is about land and knowledge acquisition.

[@unclerojelio6320]

“No newts is good newts” 😂

[@johncassels3475]

The "perforated spear" discussed around the 19-20 minute mark is clearly a device for digging out dandelions - I have several and they look just like it! Just kidding! :)

[@barryeva9186]

I think more of a newt catcher

[@jamest2401]

Does anyone know of any life size recreations of a typical Iron Age Hill Fort anywhere in Britain? Just like 'Plymouth Plantation' here in the States, which replicates a typical 17th century New England settlement, I think a reproduction of one of these Hill Forts would be quite a draw for the public, not to mention educational and informative. I haven’t been to the UK for quite some time, but absolutely do intend to cross the pond again in the future, and that would be something I should very much like to visit.

[@415s30]

Nice episode! Nice view of a nuclear power plant?

[@robd3747]

The 300 year gap was when they were following the Grateful Dead tour.

[@theUglyGypsy]

Good newts everyone!

[@barbaradyson6951]

I had those newts in my garden fish pond. Newts also burrow into the ground. I hope I'm wrong but it looks like RAGWORT to me. The yellow flowers in the field.

[@Spiritof48]

I highly doubt that the tractor mover has a anti-Newt grinding system installed 😅

[@justdoingitjim7095]

Here in the U.S. the only ancient pottery we get is Native American Indian, but it dates back a long way as well. Before they passed laws preventing us from picking up and keeping pottery shards, I used to build small shadow boxes and enclose a shard in each one. I attached a brass description plate to the front and on the back I included the whole provenance I had for it and it's history. They sold quite well. Now, thanks to government regulations those shards just sit there on the ground...weathering away, soon to be gone forever.

[@CaponeCabin]

I live in the United States.....if it's on my property..... I own it😁

[@valiantredneck]

How many day’s? 01:40. Oh. Shocker. Ahh, well. One can only hope for a little more. Maybe an explanation as to why only three days? All the best.

[@delusionnnnn]

Artificial timeline made for the purposes of television, not archaeology. It's always three days. Bad television, bad archaeology.

[@yellowwoodstraveler]

Because that's the premise of Time Team. How much information can trained archaeologists glean from a site in only 3 days. Kind of a weekend warrior approach to archaeology. They've been at it for a couple of decades now.

[@yellowwoodstraveler]

@@UncommonSense-wm5fd Yes, I know that. I was trying to keep my answer short. It is still the premise of Time Team. How much information can be gathered in 3 days. The question made it seem as if they were being restricted by the powers that be.

[@yellowwoodstraveler]

@@UncommonSense-wm5fd ok

[@vnorvi]

@@delusionnnnn huh? It’s fabulous. Your comment is like saying a doctor should not talk to non doctors on video, for education of non doctors. You miss the point entirely.

[@choppareed6595]

Alright alright alright 🍻🇳🇿🤙

[@admiralpercy]

What's the name of the guy leading the digs? The bald one who's in all these documentaries

[@twobluestripes]

Tony Robinson, he’s the host/presenter. (He’s not leading the digs)

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

He's a host presenter slash exc producer.....

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

The cut the grass to avoid the newts, but they do it with a tractor with wide wheels. Newt pate.

[@s.b.7924]

Looks more like a Knewtist camp.

[@kevinvilmont6061]

Davis! Darn autocorrect

[@michaelpettengill4789]

One person one vote show your identification to vote just like everything else you saw your identification for

[@kevinvilmont6061]

I wish I were MR David. Who ever he is.

[@kevinvilmont6061]

Davis!

[@rustythecrown9317]

``No newts is good newts `.

[@drewandcharlie7583]

I love this channel. Host guy bugs me but its just great content

[@mrsir5783]

what's netflix???

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

Something I wish I invested in years ago.....

[@jakubj_]

No newts whatsoever I'm sad I was hoping to see one. :(

[@anthonysmith778]

She turned me into a newt!

[@gina928]

I got better!

[@mohammadrezakhani2539]

🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍

[@cozysouth]

No newts is good newts 😂😂

[@robroy6804]

25 mins,,,,beautiful coal fired power station in the background

[@gonebytrain]

The era you needed a helicopter to get overshots. How the world has changed.

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

Should see the size of the drone they first used in an episode flying over a neighborhood.....

[@annk.8750]

Thank you, Carenza, for saying "oriented" instead of that poor mutilated verb "orientated".

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

I’m early!

[@HypaBumfuzzle]

I promise I know they are saying newts, but when I have it on quiet for background comfort I keep hearing nudes🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HypaBumfuzzle]

No nudes were harmed' 'great hairy nude'

[@johnqpublic2718]

These hemorrhoids are so bad that they look like a third testicle when I squat

[@shitbag.]

D-did Tony just say he'd murder a nan?

[@wewenang5167]

WHAT THE HECK IS A NEWT????

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

It's an amphibian, but something you will get better from after you've been turned into one.....

[@jnomoneeey3023]

Yeehaw

[@MarvelousPhilly]

I'm pretty early too. That's a first for me. But not that kind of silly "First" comment.

[@karanfield4229]

No newts is good newts!🙊

[@Father9]

Archeology AND herpetology??? SIGN. ME. UP.

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

You need to go an dig ancient Egypt you'll have both.....

[@steveb1ish]

Tony takes one more stab at Carenza's trench

[@TheGreenAnorak]

😂😂

[@Stripedbottom]

Wasn't it stupid to build the fort on the lower hill? All the enemy had to do was to camp on the higher one and then say: "It's over. We have the high ground"

[@elizabethwoodley4340]

(Late response but) my understanding of this period is that they weren’t worried about conquest or prolonged battles as much as smash-and-grab raiders. That’s why their walls were most impressive in the front, so visitors would have the impression of strength and not raid them. If raiders came by, the locals would just run in the fort (and bring as much stuff/animals as they could) and wait for the bad guys to move on. It wouldn’t matter too much to that kind of warfare if a nearby hill was taller. The shape/location of the hill could be more important in choosing it.

[@Stripedbottom]

@@elizabethwoodley4340 Elizabeth, this was actually just a lame and pretty worn-out Star Wars reference joke, but thanks for the explanation anyway. :)

[@damionkeeling3103]

@@elizabethwoodley4340 Entrances were bigger as that is where people went in and out of making them weaker points and therefore needing more protection. Same as castles having gate houses to protect the main entrance. That it made them more imposing was an added benefit.

[@damionkeeling3103]

We don't know a fort wasn't on the higher hill, the trees prevented a thorough investigation of the site but given the lack of artillery used by the ancient Britons what would holding the higher summit have achieved? The lower hill was 150m away, well outside what a javelin or sling could threaten and arrows don't appear to have played much of a role in warfare in Britain prior to the Romans.

[@caseyjones831]

Boom boom boom boom Boom boom boom boom BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CaptainAmaziiing]

I keep waiting for him to say he's got a cunning plan.

[@chrisw9557]

Are we just going to overlook the human bones/jaw and teeth?

[@seren2646]

It's actually going to be sheep or some similar animal bones, after studying archeology whenever it is human bones they have to be very carefully touched, always respected and not mixed up like in that bucket of pots, but if it's animal bones found with pots they tend to keep them together as some pots may have contained those bones for food or storage

[@steveb1ish]

Kate describes her trench to Phil and he decides to abandon it

[@kevinvilmont6061]

She would never b married to a guy who misspelled her last name. TWICE I’m Done digging. Pun!

[@benjamingosselin7946]

Are they growing corn... come on Francis corn comes from the Americas!

[@angusgilfillan3615]

Corn is generic for grain American corn is maze

[@benjamingosselin7946]

@@angusgilfillan3615 Oh that makes sense, I didn't know you could use it that way.

[@darkdiddler1439]

Thank god they made sure no newts were there If they had accidentally killed one all life would cease to exist

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

Lawsuit city.....

[@petekdemircioglu]

Ahahaha 👏👏👏👏

[@tyquanfleming8554]

👌 I’m out

[@patwithers1448]

I love Time Line but I do not like Cardenas she is a known it all

[@fetus2280]

damit.... not the Newt episode again, we need some Other episodes this ones lame .

[@davidcollins9512]

I misread your comment - I thought you said "we need some OTTER episodes..." !

[@user-co4je5wk6p]

ทหารไม่แข็งแรง. คนเก่าไม่แข็งแรง

[@giuseppe4909]

Dear God, why do brits not keep their fingernails nails neat and trim !

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

While digging?

[@Andrea.S.Alvey12]

I think it would be nice if they stopped using bc/ad. Those are religious in nature, but what the team is doing is science. BCE/CE would be more appropriate.

[@badlaamaurukehu]

The least important thing to be worried about atm.

[@melaniecarver5719]

@@UncommonSense-wm5fd Not believing in God or a higher power does not make one smarter. It is just a choice, or faith, or what have you. It does not elevate your intelligence if you are an atheist.

[@dlschgo]

Stop fearing words.

[@Go-Dawgs]

Carenza bothers me everytime. "A bit of school boy maths". Why just because she couldn't do the maths or she's relying on a map with an angle she could not figure? Show the other gals please, they're not know it all personalities.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

"gals"?

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

​@@AnnaAnna-uc2ffoops 😂

[@robroy6804]

@@AnnaAnna-uc2ff lassies

[@theScrupulousBerserker]

his'story is NOT our story

[@pollyg562]

#EXAGERATION just like today if you want a sponsor you dress things up, and these older digs were no different, the local priest wants to do the dig but needs cash so he tells the local bigwig there could be all types of treasure and when they dig they have to show something, even if they have to really dress the truth up then 100s years later we have to make sense of all this

[@richardgrace4500]

“They wouldn’t chunk babies out with the rubbish Iron Age people weren’t like that, people have never been like that...”... millions of dumpster babies and millions more of abortion babies would like to have a word in this conversation

[@richardgrace4500]

Tony is do pointless and annoying to this show... he knows nothing about archeology (because he is a career actor) and all he ever cares about is “how rare is it” ‘how important is it” ‘how many have been found” etc etc etc.... it’s like all he cares about is $$$ ratings and views kinda like a (dare I say it) corporate bobble head and an actor who only cares about money

[@TheGreenAnorak]

Yeah but it's Baldrick innit from Blackadder. Tale is told from days of yore he's a very very wise man.

[@robroy6804]

2000yrs ago the land would have been total covered in trees forest and woodland,,,not naked as it is 2day