Time Team S01-E04 The Fortress in the Lake (Llangorse, Powys)

The Time Team travel to the site of a Dark Age man-made island - known as a crannog - in Llangorse lake, near Brecon in Wales.
The archaeologists have just three days to unravel some of the questions raised by a member of the public about the lake where, over 1,000 years ago, a Welsh king built an island base. The site poses a number of questions: what happened to the people who lived there? What was their connection with Ireland and the ancient script known as ogham, previously found on nearby stones?

[@123456wasp]

I like how they meet at the pub with the locals, I find the combination of experts a good balance of personalities ! Great show!

[@susanlegeza7562]

I can watch these shows over and over! I envy England,wherever they dig, something ancient pops up!

[@babslou]

I LOVE Time Team. I've watched it for years on PBS but never have seen these earlier shows. Now I don't have to miss it and can get my Time Team fix every day should I wish. BRILLIANT!

[@robb2055]

2018 and I just found this show. I watched one s15 show and I'm hooked started with s 1 this morning.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

Every *Time Team, Time Team Special* and most *Time Team America* programmes have been posted on YT by *Fillask, Reijer Zaaijer* and the _official_ *Time Team* channel. Try *DigVentures* too.

[@robb2055]

@@philaypeephilippotter6532 Amazon is streaming them now too.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@robb2055 I'm sure but I don't stream anything.

[@jshicke]

The boat at the end looks like it is on the razors edge of sinking out from underneath the both of them. Love Time Team.

[@cASSiebaby1505]

I freaking love this show and watch it every night as I lay in bed. Good stuff!

[@StephiSensei26]

Phil laughing at the end of the program is too good. He and Tony remind me of Monty Python's in search of the Holy Grail at he castle Aargh!

[@thomaspatton4401]

Phil is always a hoot! Always in good spirits. He reminds me of Robbie Coltrane's Character "Reubeus Haggrid" from "Harry Potter." same accent and character. Both hard working and love working in the earth.

[@garyklein1241]

I friggin love this show.

[@velvetindigonight]

Agree. You might also want to look for anything by historian and polymath Michael Wood here on KZbin.

[@mangela9517]

THE FIRST Time Tony said: "The Time Team have got just 3 days.." is in this episode! 🤩💥💫 I am the bigest fan which is sooo strange 'cause am not a fan type.. Thanks for everything 🧡

[@jaziks]

I love how slow this show started out. A lot more sitting or standing around talking about details. The log boat is awesome! I came back to this show after hearing that Victor died a few weeks ago. RIP to one of the best artists ever!

[@lafeelabriel]

And lets not forget we lost Mick back in 2013.

[@Awitsaduck]

It was too quick by the end.

[@CNSninja]

I totally agree.

[@chubachuschecchinato5141]

A good mix of episodes in the brief first season.

[@thomaspatton4401]

I'm wondering why only four episodes in the first season. Did they get a late start or something?

[@WashuHakubi4]

For some reason, when I saw Phil and Tony paddle away, the first thing that came to mind was that song from "Titanic".

[@thomaspatton4401]

They only went out for a "Three hour tour," and they did name it "The Minnow" din't they? I wouldn't worry though. The Mate was a mighty salin' man, the Skipper brave and sure. ;)

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting.

[@jdemo7167]

With those glasses and that hair Tony keeps reminding me of John Lennon. Thanks for posting Time Team!

[@roisindubh127]

J Demo He reminds me of Leonard on Big Bang Theory

[@celiawhitaker2404]

+J Demo Harry Potter!

[@robb2055]

Larry Applegate from the 80 or 90 tv show perfect strangers.

[@stuartdudley9186]

I went to that pgl camp many moons away and actually played on that island, impressive that was 32 yrs ago, who knew then what that wee island would be more than just a lump of land with trees

[@keiraussher]

Wow Carenza's hair is long. And Phil doesn't have his hat yet, he must have acquired it later.

[@MeganOrigliasso]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR UPLOADING THIS, OMG :')

[@davidj4662]

Thank you for the uploads, there is no access to these programs for some reason where I live in Canada. I love archaeology and these episodes are great.

[@EmeraldVideosNL]

I love those medieval flute music themes (like at 11:30) of these early seasons. Too bad they abandoned those in later series.

[@michaelburgess9707]

Had to start them over from the beginning. Phil was a good looking man but it does seem that his accent gets stronger as the show progresses. Tony and his mullet, what more to be said, poor guy thought he was height of fashion. Thanks.

[@deborahparham3783]

Tony's hair style back then had more to do with his roll of Baldric on Blackadder than poor fashion sense. His later acting roles were the reason for other unusual hair styles and unfortunate facial hair. Poor guy suffered for his art but you do what you have to do to pay the bills.

[@Cyberlucy]

It's interesting to see Tony actually helping. He usually just runs around criticizing what everyone is doing.

[@MrAlumni72]

I don't consider what Tony does as criticizing - I view it as that he is asking questions that an average onlooker or TV viewer might want to ask, in order to keep us informed throughout the process.

[@Cyberlucy]

it's not unjust that he criticizes because that's what he does. I get that he has to run around filming segments but a lot of comments he made were unnecessary.

[@Cyberlucy]

he does ask a lot of questions that average person would want answered but he often makes comments about how they do their job ("this is taking too long" or "is that really necessary?"), and he does it in a way that is irritating and annoying. I actually have seen several people say that in comments on other videos. I think it's just a matter of perspective.

[@boffeycn]

Why are you such a critical arsehole? Arsehole.

[@dancingwithnature5303]

Tony reminds me of an older brother of Harry Potter.

[@marcmorel7246]

Wow, Tony with luscious locks, a thin Mick and Phil without his signature indiana jones hat.

[@2l84t]

Bloody good thing there isn't a wind when they try the canoe. Look at the water line, a duck fart would sink them. For Phil it's an oak kayak.

[@sannesteers]

He's as happy as a child kayaking the oak canoe. :-)

[@meemurthelemur4811]

It does later sink. They brought it up in the 1st Christmas special

[@deborahparham3783]

Phil was having so much fun. Listen to that laugh! Love to hear that man having a good time.

[@stannousflouride8372]

Here is the island's long. & lat.: Llangors Powys, UK 51.933675, -3.268538

[@brianhaskard1042]

Love these early TT

[@077jason]

how kool mick the dig worthington on this early dig loveed the beard lol

[@miekekuppen9275]

John´s early beard is quite something as well :-D

[@kendrad9933]

29:10 _"my precious.!.!"_ ~Tony

[@lizbetann]

Every time they use the term "Dark Ages", a Mediævalist cries.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

Surely you know _why_ that term is used.

[@marthawatt5710]

They rarely use it in later episodes! Like...once? (The later seasons and specials are on Prime)

[@thomaspatton4401]

I know it doesn't really need to be explained because everyone here is so well versed in history, but it is called "The Dark Ages" because very little is known of that period in history leaving us in "The Dark." Sad, I'm all depressed now. Think I'll go and join the Mediaevalist for a good cry now.

[@Melanie220]

John Gater's beard! LOL.

[@spacelemur7955]

Damn! I wish I had seen this a few years ago. I took down some large oaks and live by a lake. Lost opportunity!😠

[@TheShootist]

Robin could outfit The Doctor

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Why is always only 3 days to complete these projects? Not 5 days, not one week?

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Leopararouen Ok, thank you!

[@orwellboy1958]

The main archaeologists have other work, mainly in universities and Tony has his acting career.

[@erichicks2978]

You tell me what you think it is and I'll tell you what I think it is... It's a rock...

[@darladahmen5413]

I love the accents.

[@kurtbogle2973]

Maybe it was a Druid sight.?.?

[@treerat7631]

Tony has hair and phi hat is not there this is a old one

[@mastrofnone8025]

Gilligans Island

[@MsLeebee2]

tfs

[@WarshMeh]

I love Time Team, Love the older episodes, I miss the 90s

[@Jan_von_Gratschoff]

The Middle ages called "the dark ages", BC and AD instead of BCE and CE, massive laptops as thick as the bible, with screen resolutions going all the way up to 12 pixels. Flowing locks and pinky rings, the 90s truly were a magical era. :D

[@aryiastark4698]

Phil is my favorite but i love the entire time team

[@rittherugger160]

I think they'd need a lot larger of a tree if they were as big as Phil when they were using dugouts. The back of the canoe is almost swamped and Tony's high in the bow. Perhaps once the oak drys out it will float a bit higher.

[@deborahvretis3195]

Mine, too.

[@richardhardin4247]

Devouring each episode since finding Time Team just a week ago. From Tyler, Texas, USA. Major Richard Hardin, US Marine Corps, Retired.

[@Sithus666]

+Richard Hardin I have been doing the same.

[@Bambi_Harris_Author]

+Richard Hardin Yes i have only just discovered it. UK has some wonderful documentaries/informative shows. Of course they have a land rich with ancient history. I am in bliss!

[@richardhardin4247]

As well as Downton Abbey... ;-)

[@rebeccaaugustin2223]

+Richard Hardin thank you for your service

[@samjohnstone1356]

+Richard Hardin there is a US version of this show, im not sure if its still being made

[@explorer365555]

Just discovered Time Team! Enjoying them very much.You are awesome for posting all the seasons :0 Thanks from Canada

[@Schaetzchen95]

It's interesting to see that Victor Ambrus started to do his drawings on computer in the early episodes, but did them on paper in the later seasons. :)

[@miekekuppen9275]

I think that means back then computer animations were seen as special, whereas now we´re so used to them it makes more of an impression to see a "real" drawing.

[@lindavolkers8508]

Because it’s more fun!!

[@MossyMozart]

Schaetzchen95 - In my opinion, there is nothing like handmade artworks. It separates true artists from those who can lean on computer programs to compensate for their shortcomings.

[@ErnestoBrausewind]

@@MossyMozart To draw on a computer, at least doing it on a digital drawing board, is as made by hand and needs as much skill as drawing on paper - it's just a different tool that one has to master just as you have to master oil painting. Under time pressure, like on this program, the digital illustration just allows to come to a proper result faster and provide illustration you can edit into videos for better visualization. I'm a graphic desinger for 25 years now and digital illustration is something you have to learn like every other technique - it's just easier if you don't have to digitize analog work for digital use

[@holmesellis2644]

Paula Brackston's book "The Silver Witch" based on this site. A great read with a contemporary twist. And the boat plays a role in the story.

[@kathycarlson7947]

Thank you for suggesting this magical book! I downloaded and devoured it. You brought light to my life.

[@daylight8208]

Same music for 20 years and it never got old. I adore this show.

[@Threetails]

"Swordsmith Butchers in Women's Clothing" would be an awesome album title.

[@stannousflouride8372]

+Threetails By the Welsh band The Crannogs

[@leslieeaston3383]

Sounds like a Jethro Tull album.

[@Ana_crusis]

Tony looks like a grown up Harry Potter

[@galanie]

Not sure why people think those are "harry potter" glasses. To me they are nothing of the sort. Potter wore perfectly round glasses with the earpieces joining right in the center. Tony is wearing the style prevalent in the 80's and 90's that is a redo of a 1940's style, not perfectly round at all, and with the earpieces joining toward the top.

[@barbmcconnaughey3070]

😄

[@meemurthelemur4811]

@@galanie my exact pare in 1998.

[@galanie]

@@meemurthelemur4811 I had a very similar pair myself in the 80s and into the 90s. I'd love to have the very same frames today but they wore out.

[@uw1955]

Everytime I see these early episodes of Time Team I am remembered of Baldrick when I see Tony. But first of allthanks for uploading these early episodes! Greetings from berlin

[@gerdcelinejensen1230]

Hahaha, thank you for remind me of who I also was reminded of ;)

[@permanentpms6286]

I find myself devouring the Time Team series! It has made a very dry topic, much fun!

[@StephiSensei26]

..."you can almost hallucinate how it may have been", to wit Tony immediately responds, "Oh, I'd like to try that!" Delightful!

[@thomaspatton4401]

I am a child of the 60's here in America. Back then we used to have a saying; "If you can remember the 60's, you were never really there." So hallucinating, for me should be cake work! If you've never tried it, you might want to leave a trail of bread crumbs.

[@pigoff123]

Tony and Phil look better now than when they were younger

[@alanatolstad4824]

What a great ending...Phil and Tony, silently rowing...

[@susanf.7737]

Gobsmackingly good! Thanks for posting.

[@jrmckim]

Hermann Göring + Winston Churchill = Robin Bush

[@jrmckim]

4:29 love love love Mrs.Mitchell's hair!! Everything about it is gorgeous.

[@joerich9636]

Just found Time Team - captivating. Started watching all the series.

[@MooPotPie]

It's a great series . . . . and you get to watch the cast mature over 20 years worth of episodes.Sadly, Mick Aston passed away last year at 66.

[@deborahparham3783]

I watched an interview with Phil and he said there were 220 episodes of Time Team filmed and that he had been in all of them. If 220 were filmed, where are they?

[@DanHagmanScot]

thanks for uploading this... searched for the earlier episodes for ages^^

[@tracyroweauthor]

It's interesting, having started watching Time Team much further along in the seasons, to see how much the format has changed from the beginning.

[@doriansiemssen9117]

I've just discovered this series. I'm watching from the first episode! Very interesting historical information.

[@richardhelliwell1210]

Radios in the early episodes from the mid 1990's. Virtually pre-dates the mobile phone age.

[@uw1955]

P.S. Have there only been 4 episodes in season 1 of Time Team?

[@5dinsdale]

Thanks so much for posting these! I've only seen episodes form later seasons-watching these earlier episodes is a treat!

[@jonashagstrom4664]

The finds on the island is not proof that the activities took place there - the island was built by material brough in from the surrounding area.

[@hondaxl250k0]

Gotta love phill! But tony drives me nuts.. always came off as a pushy putz..

[@lizzy66125]

They are so modest and John is nearly apologetic that he didnt find anything with the geofizz..so different to later.Robin seems to be in his hayday.

[@ajraussie]

thanks so much this is so awesome

[@debrah7548]

They’re sitting so low they’re taking on water!

[@darladahmen5413]

Love Robins bow tie.

[@Metonymy1979]

Wow! 3D writing.

[@Lyndam98]

Time Team here started somewhere in season 4 or 5. Never seen these early eps! THANKS!

[@angelitabecerra]

OMG! Tony has so much hair 😂

[@maddog2771]

October 25 2019

[@charlestownshend5655]

Interesting series. BUT - wood chips flying everywhere and not a pair of safety goggles in sight! Scary! Was this permitted?

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I don't think they had eye shield in those days, and no one was any worst for it, by the time they put on their armoured underpants the program would be over! Just leave the H&S idiots writing out more risk assessment forms.That is all they are good for.

[@thomaspatton4401]

They didn't have safety glasses back in the Middle or dark ages either and that was part of the re-enactment. Back then you just had to be more careful and actually pay attention to what you were doing! That is part of the problem with people now-a-days. They don't pay enough attention to what they are doing and wind up getting hurt because of it, and yes, that is their own fault.

[@Stay_at_home_Astronaut81]

Damn, John Gater's beard is on point in this episode. 😂

[@paulaeller8704]

Oh my mrs. Mitchell is Phil's twin

[@treerat7631]

Wow this is a old one

[@johndeeter4030]

MOAT?...I'll show your a moat...Here hold my mead...lol

[@desslokbasileus571]

11:24　　20:54　23:27　35:59 41:29　44:50

[@heatherdickau5335]

Tony actually helps sort in this video.

[@juliechi6166]

John is rocking an awesome beard!

[@johnaaron37]

John with a beard?!

[@gmg9010]

How old was Tony in these early episodes ?

[@deborahparham3783]

He was about the same age as Mick but he looks like he's not more than 12.

[@WinstonOBoogie_]

At 24:05 Mick puts Tony in his place, which they needed to do a bit more often.

[@thomaspatton4401]

It is never a good idea to allow Tony to run rough shod and unchecked. He might hurt himself or someone else. "Big Pant Syndrome" is a reacurring theme with him. You will see in due course Tony will have to be put in his place and otherwise corrected on more than a few occasions. It usually turns out to be very entertaining though.

[@deborahparham3783]

That may have been just part of the act. I believe it is called comic relief.

[@steveb1ish]

"Tony! This is Phil can you read me? Over." Phil on walkie-talkie. "Yes Phil, this is Tony, over." "I'm deep into Rakshar's trench, it's dark and the walls are covered in a thick slippery moisture and it seems to be oozing a sticky salty white slag!" Over. "Phil this is Mick. Have you tried giving it a bit more wood?" Over

[@sheilaghbrosky]

This is really old before the producers realized Tony knew diddley squat about Archeology.

[@donna3152]

Tony WAS one of the producers.

[@fabmel161]

He‘s an actor and presenter. Nobody ever claimed he was an archaeologist. He does a great Job at „translating“ the archaeology for the viewers.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@fabmel161 Actually he is a good amateur archæologist which is how he met *Mick* who wanted him as presenter.

[@fabmel161]

Phil Potter I did not know that, how interesting! I was just pointing out that it becomes obvious over time that Tony knows quite a lot about archaeology but it was his JOB to ask the questions the average viewer might have. That was his role. It does not reflect his personal knowledge or abilities . In my opinion, it is an even bigger achievement to „translate“ facts into a more understandable language the more you actually DO know about the topic. It is easy to forget the struggles or questions of a beginner at any skill/learner of any new information (e.g. a foreign language, any area of history (I am a historian and have taught history)) by the time you have become an „expert“ yourself. It takes empathy and skill to do that in such an unpatronizing, authentic and humourous way as Tony did on Time Team.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@fabmel161 You're absolutely right! 😇

[@kathystevetrooperblanck609]

Love this series but this particular episode has a dugout canoe being built and I never got the purpled]se of spending time doing that.

[@angelitabecerra]

I've no idea what purpose it serves for this show beyond entertainment value for us. However, archaeologists commonly build replicas of various things they find in the ground or find in the records with as near to authentic materials and techniques as possible as a way to understand these objects and technologies. It's been done by many experts the world over and invaluable information is gleaned in the process. Edited for a typo.

[@talamioros]

It's probably to give Phil something to do since they did say the island is being worked on by another uni and they could only "work with them" so Phil was probably jobless this episode otherwise

[@deborahparham3783]

It's called experimental archaeology. They did a lot of this kind of thing through the years.

[@grannypantsification]

Everyone is so much more modest and kind to each other in the early days. By the end of the series they are ribbing each other and so confident in their knowledge. Especially the geophys guy. Love this series, sad I’ve nearly watched them all now.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

So go around again! Lots of people do and see things they don't remember from the first time and each episode has its own excitement. You can also find the predecessor, *Time Signs,* on YT. No *Tony* but *Mick* and *Phil.* Try *DigVentures* too.

[@thomaspatton4401]

I'm just starting my second go round. and I'm enjoying the journey, again. Warning though; there are only twenty episodes and no warning of the end of the series or Mick's death except for a rather cold announcement from the BBC announcer as the ending credits rolled. Needless to say, I was rather put off by this handling or should I say "mishandling" of what should have ended in a dedication episode instead of two "look back" episodes. But I think they did that because Mick died before the last season ended. Still a dedication notice on these episodes would have been appropriate. Come to think of it, I don't even remember hearing when Robin died during the course of the series. In my opinion if they were going to do a "look back" fine but they should have used that as the "back story." The main story should have been remembrances from the team of their now fallen friends. To me that would have been a much better send off.