Time Team S20-E08 Mystery of the Thames-side Villa

In the 1960s, a young PhD student decided to excavate a South Oxfordshire field where a farmer was regularly ploughing up Roman remains.
He found a mosaic and the stone walls of what was clearly a Roman building, in an area where the remains of few Roman buildings had ever been found. But he never found enough evidence to prove exactly what was there.
Now aerial pictures show clear building lines in the ground, indicating that there was something big in the field, and the farmer who owns it continues to turn up Roman brick and tile.
But what is the building, and why is it here? And does its location indicate how the Thames's course has shifted in the last 2000 years? Time Team aim to finish the job the student started 50 years ago.
Geophysics get to work and Roman pottery almost falls out of the first trenches. With finds like that, clear crop marks and old drawings, what can possibly go wrong?

[@allenra530]

This is the reason I am so fascinated by the series. They didn't cherrypick for all of the successes and ignore the mistakes by editing them out. They made a careful record of the sites that they dug and added enormously to the knowledge of England's history, including where the records were completely off base.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

“But you didn’t find anything” True, but now you know where NOT to dig next time, so you did learn SOMETHING. What did Edison say? Something like “I know a thousand ways how not to make a light bulb now”.

[@bevanpope7924]

It's quite obvious from reading comments on various episodes that many folk just don't understand the concept behind this fantastic and educational TV Series. It clearly lasted 20 years for many a reason. The 3 day formula worked perfectly otherwise where would you draw the line on when to stop and budgeting would become a nightmare. All the characters evolved & grew on us, so much so that it was actually sad to see them start to disappear without mention or even a farewell... Time Team will continue to educate not only the population of the UK but people around the world who can now watch it again and again on sites like this. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching back about 80% of the shows this last month and will miss the Team and their familiar banter when I am done. Time for a pint-o-ale me thinks. Huge TT fan, Cape Town, South Africa

[@arkansaswookie]

Bevan Pope As a kid it was cool to see this on American tv on the rare occasions that it was on. We've never had a tv show quite like this one sadly, because most people here don't care about history and would rather watch reality shows about dysfunctional people. There's just a lot of channels with mind numbing stupid shit on here. Definitely made my first and second visits to England better.

[@CompetitiveAudio]

Bevan Pope After spending a month or more in my spare time viewing every episode beginning with Season 1 ep.1 seeing the changes both positive and negative made over 20 YEARS, it is like watching close friends grow up. I'm not one that watches much TV but Time Team has become an addiction for me. You are correct with your comment on how sad it is/was when some of the earlier members disappeared without mention and it's also sad knowing that several have passed on. Time Team was a true spark of genius in the bland, boring world of today's television programming. Who would have ever thought that a show composed mainly of people digging a ditch would have been so entertaining and educational. Truly one of a kind..

[@gavinwallace5703]

CompetitiveAudio yes quite interesting concept. Think it would do the people good to have something like that for Central Europe.

[@gavinwallace5703]

CompetitiveAudio yes quite interesting concept. Think it would do the people good to have something like that for Central Europe.

[@n1ydy]

Gavin Wallace As an American living near New York, Id like to comment that this series clearly exceeds the quality of the television shows that we have had here in North America in the last twenty years. I agree that they seemed like either friends or family that were growing up in front of us. I wish that they had mentioned when one of the team "graduated " and where they went. Clearly an educational show that would never have made it to our living rooms when most of us here can watch Kim K. So sad ....

[@ParameterGrenze]

I find the episodes they find little or nothing just as interesting as the ones they find significant archeology.

[@winkerdude]

I came to this show for the archaeology. I stayed for the banter. An hour show of them in a pub would be just as enjoyable as their wildest dig.

[@blackbob3358]

succinct, spot on !... also, if that "pencil face" neil had of said to me ( as he did to matt) get it out in one peice etc,,, i'd have said; da ya think i've been in a fucking chinese laundry all mi life ?.... academic bollox... aaghhhh.

[@cartersubaru]

winkerdude i

[@emilyflotilla931]

Rights beside you @winkerdude, and I've even not had a drink in 37 years!

[@Brinta3]

@@emilyflotilla931 It’s about time then!

[@emilyflotilla931]

@@Brinta3 Ah, no, thanks. I've had more than my share already. Just hit 41 years! Lol

[@PtolemyJones]

I think this is the most I've seen and heard from Naomi. She seems so studious, and a bit shy, nice to see her get some camera time.

[@AceOfTestPilots]

I've watched almost every episode of Time Team, and it always baffles me as to why everyone always blames John Gater and the geophys guys for not finding what the archaeologists want them to find. If the archaeology is not there, then it's not there.

[@OUigot]

They blame John to avoid having to blame themselves, and if you didn't know archeologists are never wrong.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@OUigot Actually it's just a running joke.

[@victoriaeads6126]

Well, geophys is obviously the perfect magical tool to solve all archeological problems! 😂 No, I agree. They seem to work so darn hard, and whenever conditions are unfavorable, they get flack.

[@PtolemyJones]

It is the juxtaposition of his arrogance and how often he is wrong. People like to see a gasbag get popped. He really is dickish, often to people I really admire, like Phil and Stewart. His delusions of grandeur are a magnet for derision, in my mind.

[@annk.8750]

@@PtolemyJones No, I don't see it that way at all. John is essentially an outsider, the guy who doesn't wield a trowel, so I think there's a good-natured joking relationship between people from two entirely different disciplines. The same is true between the rest of the gang and Stewart at times, who is also unique in his skill set.

[@jamescowsert2128]

Love it when I find an episode I haven't seen yet!!

[@tonistinchcomb6247]

I love Time Team. I have learned so much by watching these episodes. I wish we had these videos when I was in school. I love Matt. He is such a good sport.

[@victoriaeads6126]

Watching Time Team makes me want to create lots of mosaic art and leave it where an archeologist might find it in several hundred years time. Just imagining their faces all those years from now is quite inspiring! Since I'm already familiar with glass mosaic and stained glass work, it might just happen 😁

[@krishinrichs143]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING !!!!!! I have spent many evenings being entertained, as well as educated. BIGGEST KUDOS from across the pond.

[@annazaman9657]

missing mick

[@tonistinchcomb6247]

Stewart would be so much fun to take a leisurely stroll with. He's a wealth of knowledge. I don't like that they always seem to pick on the Geophys guys. They can only do what they can do.

[@gwendolynfish2102]

Oh Raksha, how I have enjoyed watching you on your many adventures!

[@Wally-H]

Continue watching her on the current BBC series 'Digging for Britain' then

[@stephanietorres7170]

My conclusion as a lay person is...this site did have a posh villa but was also self sustaining, hence the evidence of farming. I really enjoy this series and not only learn, but am fascinated by the sites, history and discoveries.

[@richtravis9562]

yup. hypocaust.

[@tankgirl2074]

This is the oddest episode in the 20 series so far. Having worked in archaeology for years and having observed previous site director Nick's excavation strategy during this program, the plan by Neil was... unfortunate. Neil was really hunting for the mosaic and then got desperate to find something substantial. This would have benefited from Nick's experience more. Even the summation of what was found was... off. Raksha wasn't given enough credit for her theory and discoveries. What they were excavating was not the 'villa' but likely an annex or workers building- though honestly, they didn't excavate enough to demonstrate what it was. Raksha pointed out key aspects- hypercourse tiles for underfloor heating (not found where Phil was digging), high quality plaster (not found in Phil's trench), high quality ceramics (not found in Phil's trench). As Raksha pointed out (and was almost totally dismissed), the actual villa isn't where they were looking but somewhere else. I can't fault the program as it is highly educational and entertaining. It's certainly different than N.A. archaeology. I just wish this episode they would have admitted they didn't find what they were looking for and were not able to identify the type of building they were excavating.

[@sheilaghbrosky]

Watch a lot of these and you start wishing they would throw Tony into a trench with 6 ft of dirt on him. He is an annoying little twerp who is quite rude to certain people especially John. In one of the later episodes, it looked John was going to punch him and Tony would have deserved it.

[@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft]

@Tank Girl Try out here in Iowa. Scratch the turf, it BLEEDS N.A. archeology 🤣

[@nutjaywoody4132]

youre right on the spot

[@lucygray6162]

@pearlsnaredrummer77 Tony is definitely doing a "conflict bit," probably with the producer's blessing. If everyone got along, this would be just another polite group like those old black and white documentaries. Every show out there today has the person you root for, the person you want to share a pint with, and the person you desperately want to lose the contest. The personalities here shine because of the antagonist. Without him drawing them out through his questions, it would be pretty dull going. Someone has to glue it all together.

[@Skyfire_The_Goth]

@@sheilaghbrosky What you and many other people don't seem to realize is that if it wasn't for Tony and Mick Aston this show would never have happened, also many of the people involved were friends with eachother before the show even started, including Tony being friends with many of them, so they all understand Tonys part in the show is to be the annoying presenter, they all take it in stride, go to the pub and have a pint later.

[@galanie]

For us Americans that love this stuff and want more really great British shows that are informative, I suggest finding the Farm programs. Tales of the Green Valley were the first series followed by Tudor Farm, Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm, and Wartime Farm.

[@lisakilmer2667]

Yes, those are great shows, where Alex Langlands became a popular presenter. Check out their series "Secrets of the Castle" as well.

[@scarletfluerr]

Favorites of mine too, introduced me to BBC4 and good programs, something lacking on American TV for years.

[@meemurthelemur4811]

Anything involving Jane Goodall is worth watching. She's so passionate about presenting historically accurate information

[@sueclark5763]

@@meemurthelemur4811 I've watched all these series and don't recall anyone with the name Jane Goodall, do you mean Ruth Goodman? Yes, Ruth is passionate about what she does.

[@meemurthelemur4811]

@@sueclark5763 oops. Yes. Ruth Goodman. Sorry. My bad. Jane Goodall did nature docs years ago.

[@lennytyler1571]

Tony pulls the show together i think very well, as he says in the start of the show that he does not completely understand what the experts are doing, and so he asks questions. And it does seem that most times he is asking on our behalf, i think he does a great job.

[@vincewhite5087]

Lenny Tyler i agree. This is his role & he is to summarize details & be the common person’s voice. I think anyone would ask the same questions & since Eggheads commonly live in their own heads, he needs to challenge them if they just shift explanations or story lines. They need to explain themselves.

[@SNP-1999]

"Is it a swanky villa, or a farm ?" - what about it being a swanky farm ? 😜

[@JETWTF]

I was thinking the same thing, farmers were not all dirt poor and today they can have some very nice houses. Not Rolls Royce in the garage nice but certainly upper middle class nice.

[@victoriaeads6126]

Hipsters have existed since the dawn of time. I thought exactly the same, swanky villa farm 😂

[@ajblundell]

was never the same without mick

[@Jigger2361]

damn you channel 4!

[@transgingervintage2544]

john jones why did he leave?

[@Jigger2361]

@@transgingervintage2544 Mick left in the 19th season when Channel 4 brought in two new people to help host it. Mick thought the new additions were all about ratings (sadly "tits and teeth" was used to describe one of them by many) etc etc and he left and ultimately one of the new people left and the whole thing went down the tubes after that.... said Mick at the time after leaving in Feb. 2012 --- "The time had come to leave. I never made any money out of it, but a lot of my soul went into it. I feel really, really angry about it." He felt the two new stars were given priority while long time members like Stewart and Helen saw their roles diminished. He did not appreciate not being consulted about the changes after he help bring about the show so many years ago

[@pattismithurs9023]

@@Jigger2361 And then, Mick died of a brain hemorrhage in 2013. So sad, every time we see him we think of what a sweet, kind man he seemed. He added so much to the program in so many ways.

[@Jigger2361]

@@pattismithurs9023 yes Patti, even if the show had gone on it wouldn't have been the same

[@nickrich56]

P.S. Tony, Phil, John, Stewart ... only Racza(spelled?) remaining of the ladies? I miss Carenza and Bridge and all of 'em glad Racza is ploddin on, thru the mud and druge √√√√√

[@xeniabrunel4552]

Love this episode Archaeology can make or break a dig this is why i love the program

[@debbiehenri7170]

I lived in this area as a child in the 60's, and can vouch for the ploughing and burning, since the farmer grew potatoes and wheat. I remember well the stubble being burned right up to the back garden fence. Although I played in those fields in the 60's, I don't recall finding anything remotely Roman there. However, I moved to Laindon, Essex at a later date - and the council there actually 'built' a community centre right over a Roman mint. Roman bits and pieces popped up from time to time and the locals took them (since we had no local museum at that time). A pity we didn't value and care for our heritage better in earlier years, because now that everything is getting so samey wherever you go in the world so history means that much more to us now.

[@maxsdad538]

Building over a site is the BEST way to preserve archaeology, especially a carpark (parking lot, for us Americans). Assuming that you haven't dug out a 50ft deep basement, putting concrete or asphalt top on the ground protects it until future generations can excavate it properly and safely. Look at Richard III.

[@definitelynotbill3912]

There's Phil sticking his big ol' finger nail in there. Loved this show.

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

+Clean pants Friday He grows his fingernails long on his right hand because he's a classical guitarist.

[@hottubmobileneil]

I am not Neil , If only you had more time than three days with such a competent team . Even when you do not find something your still all winners , it looks physically demanding . thanks for sharing from Ontario Canada .

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

If you're not *Neil* then are you *Howard.*

[@hottubmobileneil]

Phil Potter , who is Howard ?

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@hottubmobileneil Obviously not you.

[@maximiliand2544]

I saw Phil Harding in a trench in the new Waterloo archaeology vids. Spot him and his hat from a mile away lol.

[@nickrich56]

The latest episode in months and months ... thankyouthankyouthankyou

[@bethbartlett5692]

This is a good one, various subjects having juicy outcome finds: Stewart sees the History of the land/water with confirming science; Matt enjoys an abundance of artifacts; and Phil confirms his expierenced vision. The lack of evidence is not evidence of lack. 3 days limits depth 9f dig and area of dig, it relies on Talent and Intuition. Thus Phil routinely is their value.

[@Brinta3]

Your quote is lacking. Carl Sagan actually said: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”

[@jockbeems4798]

I think in those days every villa (large and small) had a farm, pottery kiln, blacksmith and whatever they else could think of to make money. Life really hasn't changed in 2,000 years if you think about it.

[@lostinwoods8354]

Betcha Mick would have known/figured this whole mess out the first half of the first day. ;-)

[@chrisl6875]

Best part of this episode are the "majestic cooling towers" 🤣 Gotta love Tony.

[@captaintyrrell6428]

Dear Lord, I miss this tv program. I seldom missed an episode of the original transmissions. It's a pity they bastardised it during the last season though.

[@maxsdad538]

What... you didn't appreciate Mary Jane Ocho Cinco and her disco approach to archaeology?

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting.

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

The classic "bluey-greeny" Roman window glass.

[@adamsjerome1839]

Tony's matter of the fact statement that " Phil is talking to himself " is absolutely priceless.

[@deborahparham3783]

Phil was just thinking out loud.

[@twin3290]

Look, even if they don't find everything they were hoping for, does not mean they did it badly, or that they unduly crashed through the site and did not do a proper job, the point of the show is to display the process, and sometimes the process does not play out the way you hoped. I think if they were not doing a proper justice to the archeology they would not be allowed to do it. I just think people who are opposed to this type of thing don't fully understand the point of it, and wish it was more in line with a full archeological investigation, which it does not have to be to be useful, it may not give you all the answers the way a full investigation might but that does not mean it does not have value.

[@anthonyoliver7622]

“ YourTime

[@michelegyselinck5400]

They're professionals. They knew what they were doing, but even so, luck is not always on your side.

[@dinx556]

Excellent archeology.

[@daveb3809]

It's interesting to note the somewhat rivalry between Phil, the guest consultant and John Gator. Antagonism (however mild) is somewhat inevitable when you bring different people from different backgrounds and characters together. John's frustration is understandable; the geophysics, because of centuries of land disturbance (ploughing), isn't always reliable if the achaeology 'isn't there.' A great series in which learning about the past is very educational! And what they unearth in a mere three days is staggering!

[@SWilkin676]

One of the things that I suspect is driving the 3 day fomula is the experts they bring in and have on hand. They likely have full loads in their day jobs, so taking out 3 days for a tv show is a big deal. Having them on hand to instantly date a find is a luxury I suspect many digs don't have.

[@frankrshirer8851]

3 days means Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the digs.

[@jeffking6286]

I really felt bad for Neil......could just about feel his feelings myself

[@saintboudreau1545]

interesting great finds

[@billdecat855]

The prevailing comment I find on the TT comment pages seems to be why do they only take three days and/or why does English Heritage allow it. After watching this program from the beginning the answers to those two questions are as follows. They only take three days because the work is done over a weekend and on Monday they all go back to their day jobs. As to English Heritage, EH allows the hack and slash archeology so the can quickly determine if a site should be scheduled (protected) and then a more complete and concise archeological dig in the traditional way can begin if required or a site can be formally protected from any sort of digging (ie commercial development or more archeology).

[@michelegyselinck5400]

I disagree. Those people do archaeology AS their day job, but there is work to be done in labs. Also, some of them were professors, so they were teaching and probably writing papers too.

[@SNP-1999]

@@michelegyselinck5400 True, but what I think he meant was that the Time Team, or the TV company producing the series, did not actually employ the scientists as employees - these were prepared to work over weekends to do the excavations, but then went back to their normal jobs on the following Monday morning to carry on their actual work as archaeologists excavating other sites or working at universities doing research or whatever. I do not however know whether or not Phil or Mike et al were paid for their work for Time Team, or not. Possibly, but maybe they weren't and did it just for the love of their work. 😜

[@michelegyselinck5400]

@@SNP-1999 Yes, in that sense I agree. That would make sense.

[@andrewemery8495]

They were limited to three days by budget. Outside broadcasting is horribly expensive, and they could only sell the programme concept if there was a definate cut-off, which also allowed the editor to introduce a bit of tension. Reality Vs. The Ideal. Without the three day cutoff there would never have been a Time Team.

[@TheGuul667]

Time Team wouldn't be the same without Ainsworth's spindly, quivering fingers ...

[@mblack3450]

Everyone was grumpy in this one. Started with Phil. Tony. Geophys. The beginning of the end for the Time Team. No talk of the pub either

[@TheMDJ2000]

"I'd love to see what's underneath your toolbox"...

[@daviddupoise6443]

North arrows @7:30 . Please always use North arrows.We are engineers. Nerds - never leave off the North arrow. The bane of the later shows.

[@leeannenfield9797]

I like the humor and it is educational

[@danaringquist9730]

thanks for the post 6-25-2022

[@roberttilson5547]

Why could you not have a villa that produced food or resources for its own up keep?

[@thekeeler846]

Strange animosity between Phil and Gater at the beginning

[@robertwbraiden]

They always banter and argue, but after twenty years it is very friendly and respectful. Everyone on the show loved to give John and geofizz a hard time.

[@michaelmelen9062]

Yes, I have a feeling they were playing to the audience. A little drama at the dig! They never seem surprised, so it might be staged.

[@Wally-H]

Although a lot of Time Team was scripted, much of the banter was based on reality. You get the feeling John was a bit sensitive to criticism and I think if you watch the twenty odd series, you will see they often used to wind him up for a bit of fun. I'm sure it was nothing personal.

[@Jigger2361]

... i got the vibe from that that it was early morning, Phil likely had a long drive and sure, maybe a tad cranky, but it certainly, to me, came off as genuine and real. You can tell when Phil gets a little cranky and that's what a i love about them all, they are human

[@PhillipCowell01]

"This is molten, which suggests fire" - that's why they're the experts eh:)

[@corneliawissing7950]

February 2021. I only discovered TT towards the last months of 2020 (Covid lockdown) and think I'm now an addict. Will somebody please update me as to which TT members are still living and/or part of the team? I've read that Prof. Mick has died (such a loss!), but I'm ignorant re everybody else.

[@adamsjerome1839]

Some very attentive viewer should compile a book of Time Team best quotes. My fave belongs to Phil. " come on Ian, lets go and build us a hole".

[@lindasue8719]

I swear I'm not saying this because I'm a nerd, but… Stewart reminds me of a combination of Patrick Stewart and Leonard Nimoy! 😁💗

[@sheilaghbrosky]

Stewart is brilliant. He plots out pathways, roads and topography. He is a hoot when he gets out in the field on his stomach like he's doing push ups when he is checking for changes in the lay of the land.

[@Libbathegreat]

I don't see any resemblance with Patrick Stewart but I definitely see Leonard Nimoy. He looks more like him the older he gets too 🧡

[@cameleonfleuri]

It's a shame that modern plumbing have destroyed forever historical artefacts that managed to survived hundreds if not thousands of years!!!! If archeological investigations had been done before such procedures, so, sooo many magnificent things might have been preserved for further generation to admire and enjoy, and better understanding of our past would have been provided!

[@michaellindsey1543]

I love Naomi! A 1 meter tall person taking 2 meter deep samples!

[@stannousflouride8372]

Not much to see in the main field on Google Earth (except deep plow marks in the soil that probably destroyed the archaeology) 51°38′30″N 1°17′14″W But in surrounding fields are some pretty interesting features like this Iron Age round house and accompanying oval enclosure with another round house inside: 51°38'17.7"N 1°17'41.6"W And what the hell is this just north of it? 51°38'25.0"N 1°17'40.5"W The published post-show report is here: www.academia.edu/4826938/Drop_Short_Roman_Villa_Oxfordshire_Desktop_Assessment_

[@stiannobelisto573]

Love that in depth archeological report, is there any place to download all of them that involved time team?

[@azmrl]

This is the pre-show report.

[@adoxartist1258]

I don't understand why they're so confused about finding part of a cheese maker and evidence of a farm at the location they also found high-end Roman stuff. I assume a tooty-snooty Roman would enjoy fresh foods - why couldn't a Roman overlord also have servants who farmed and made cheese for him?

[@nigelparks6855]

Blessed are the cheesemakers

[@williamloan9905]

Strange that the UTV's steering wheel would be on the left, USA-style. I that the way with all British UTVs?

[@DickHolman]

It depends on the maker, I've seen both.

[@MosBikeShop]

'So the black is here...and the white is there.' I love watching Science in action.

[@tessjuel]

What a strange episode. Objectively they achieved quite a lot but they all seemed so disappointed. Then there was this throwaway presentation at the end as if they jsut wanted to get over with it with as little effort as possible. I get the feeling they had made the mistake of drawing the conclusions in advance and then failing to adjust when the finds pointed in a different direction.

[@scarletfluerr]

The problem is the producer, Tim, did what we Americans called Jumping the Shark. That's what it program changes itself to try to be currently relevant and it becomes irrelevant. By changing the lineup of archaeologists and the goals the Dig he pissed off Mick and he left. The continuing changes of lineup is Tim trying to create the lightning of the first group. But there wasn't the cohesion that Mick, Phil, Corenza, Victor , Robin and Tony had.

[@dyrstyrer]

im sure they sat around the fire around 2000 years ago plotting how to fuck with the future. "lets put all our trash in a square and then we might get some of them to dig it up in 1000 or 2000 years" great praktikal joke if you dont mind not finding out the outcome :D

[@Ubique2927]

This makes me wonder why archeologists bury what they find. Surely they should be lifting every mosaic they find.

[@rosemarydavis5174]

What was under the toolbox?? Did I miss something? Loved this series!!

[@scarletfluerr]

Nothing, the plowing took it away. No mosaic floor.

[@rosemarydavis5174]

@@scarletfluerr thank you for the answer!

[@billclisham8668]

Neil certainly was no Mick Aston by any stretch of the imagination.

[@thomasbell7033]

Neil is, from what I understand, a highly respected Romanist. It's not fair to compare him, or anyone else, to Mick Aston. The man was sui generis, and had a charisma you simply don't find on television.

[@Vancouverama]

I was wondering that too... Maybe they contacted him and he didn't want to be involved.

[@GrahamCLester]

They at least eliminated some possibilities, which will make it easier for the next people who dig that site. There is a certain amount of educated guesswork involved and you can't always get that right.

[@harbourdogNL]

45:21 Rather a grasping, fanciful analysis of a dig that didn't go so well, Tony! Oh well, not every dig will yield a Sutton Hoo.

[@andrewemery4272]

Remember, these are the people who turned-down the offer to dig a certain car park in Leicester. They are not the sharpest trowels in the trench...

[@mairefuller4084]

wish we could have something like this in America.. but I love this show..

[@maxsdad538]

Time Team America, but it was only on PBS for 2 seasons... and deservedly so.

[@unwindedcom]

42 Appleford Rd Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon OX14 4NQ, UK 51.646497, -1.258461 here looks to be a really nice round house with the entrance even visible..... would have been on the edge of where the river used to be .....

[@The-BayoHunter]

Question number 1; why is Lydar not used more? Question number 2; are these digs continued to be worked on after the 3 day TV show time? Sincerely yours from Richard Abbenbroek in Calgary Alberta Canadam

[@nevyen149]

I think LIDAR was quite new for a lot of the first few years, but after that, the cost was probably prohibitive. GPS and the Geophys tools John Gaiter brought to the table were enough for most of their digs. Many of the Time Team digs were continued by local archaeology clubs, county archaeology departments, or University programs.

[@meemurthelemur4811]

A shame Neil became so fixated on what he couldn't find that he lost sight of all of the great finds they did have.

[@misterfrezzy488]

love this show.... lets hope the cooling towers aren't on an enchant fault line like Fukushima japan is....still love the show though

[@thekeeler846]

If it weren't for the technological advancements of geophysics team...this series never happens

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

+Jeff Keeler Nope. They've done ruined castles.

[@eboracum2012]

After viewing this episode, I have never appreciated Neil more.

[@thekeeler846]

Ainsworth is the shit, but his research techniques can't exactly be turned into a 1 hour show

[@robertwbraiden]

I don't think anyone is suggesting that his efforts should be. He is a part of a larger team effort.

[@Headwind-1]

Painted wall plaster. . ..that would have gone on the walls . . . .ha! 8.55

[@vincewhite5087]

I know they sold the premise to network of 3 days. But I would send Stew ahead & geophys ahead & get done & sorted out first. Then bring people in to dig for 3 days. I don’t think that would affect permits, & that would stop them digging in one spot then being told its the wrong spot.

[@pattismithurs9023]

In spite of what they show, I'm sure they do a lot of prep work beforehand. You couldn't rely on JUST 3 days to get a tv show worth showing. As to the limited dig time, an archeologist friend told me that limited time isn't unusual, and always follows long research - maybe years.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@pattismithurs9023 You're basically right. But the prep. work didn't usually include the geophysical surveys or landscape surveys as the _real_ investigators,just as the _real_ archæologists, had full-time jobs elsewhere in archæology.

[@scarletfluerr]

I can't help but Wonder, or did they say something about it and I missed it, what happened to the 1960s archaeologists? Are they dead? Does nobody know who they are to contact them? They couldn't come out and help locate it?

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

*scarlettfluerr* I am fairly sure they were not mentioned again in that programme. That dig had been over 50 years previously and death is only one of the possible reasons for not contacting each one.

[@SerDunk]

24:41 Aah classic Baldrick lolol

[@phoule76]

This episode was weirdly edited / produced, like a manufactured-tension reality show, compared to much earlier seasons' episodes where very little was found during a dig, but at least there was no dramatic, artificial-tension-inducing music. Is this what "jumping the shark" means?

[@ebybeehoney]

I don't think I've ever thought cooling towers are "majestic".

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

*Kate* Those _nearly_ are as I've seen them _in the flesh_ so's to speak.

[@RKHageman]

British dry wit, that is.

[@neenmach]

Imagine if these guys had LIDAR?

[@whosaidthat5236]

I bet it was completely robbed of useful material after it burned down, then it was plowed away since then , or was washed away in a flood if it was that close to the river on a bend

[@steviekerr4679]

Tony says to Phil, you want me 😂

[@americalost5100]

Time team like an old rock band no longer liking each other on the verge of breaking up

[@granskare]

when I was in Turkey in the 50's we saw mosaics in the ditch on the side of the road...but the UK is a long distance from the middle east.

[@bobbyhood101]

Turkey would have been either Roman, (*eastern Roman *)or Byzantine the Greek empire that continued on after the western empire fell up into the 1400sAD !

[@theeddorian]

I'm confused. Just when did archaeology stop because the archaeologists were in a pub?

[@frankrshirer8851]

They seem to have a 8 hour work day, 9am to 6pm, with an hour for lunch. And I've found that pretty much consistent during the 19 seasons. With earlier start/end times during the late fall, winter & early spring months when the daylight is shorter. And probably union rules and/or budget constraints regarding overtime.

[@Vancouverama]

Someone named G. Thomas did the 1966 excavation. scribd.com/doc/75058969/7/Previous-Archaeological-Work

[@peterbaxter2913]

Vancouverama - surely they could have found at least ONE member of the original team?

[@BryonLape]

Two episodes ago, Geo Physics had better equipment. What happened to it?

[@WOLFROY47]

so it dropped short of your expectations

[@takefive4291]

Every time I see people on this program augering for relivant info, as at 25:36, I wonder: "Why don't they get a wider handle?"

[@DickHolman]

A wider handle means more chance of twisting or breaking the auger string, especially as it gets longer. It's all about torque.

[@JETWTF]

@@DickHolman Wouldn't matter how wide or strong the auger I doubt Naomi could get it in very deep. But I digress, they could use a power auger instead.

[@lisakilmer2667]

For a known Roman site, it was unusual not to have the clear geophysics readings, which made the dig very challenging. Had they been expecting Anglo-Saxon, they would have been happy with their finds; as it was Roman, the finds are somewhat disappointing. I really wish they had given Raksha more air time. Due to her charm of manner she would have been a really attractive presenter.

[@gbowne1]

I'd go with swanky villa with attached farm best of both rightly

[@lazzymclandrover4447]

Surprised there was no resistivity done.

[@martynnotman3467]

Its on wet clay. Resistance doesnt work well on that.

[@lindasue8719]

I wonder if they looked into finding the original student archaeologist?

[@tankgirl2074]

Dug in the '60's.. the person may not be alive. It would have made sense to have tried to find the person if they were alive.

[@carinwiseman4309]

Making a lot of surmises from a very little bit of information. You have only excavated a tiny bit of this area.

[@Psychlist1972]

8:19 Cool. They got Tommy Lee Jones to do the digging.

[@blaggercoyote]

So much use of the word "basically".

[@morrigan191]

I've watched all of Time Team until now and not until this episode have I noticed so many people pointing at things with their middle fingers. As a non-brit, my continent has only one use for that finger and it's not pointing. Is that a normal thing elsewhere? Is it a UK thing, or a European one? Is it not and they're just all saying how much they hate this episode?

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

*Deflated Hypnotist* That gesture doesn't mean the same here in the *UK.* We use the first two fingers, spread and vertical, with the palm of the hand towards us like this ✌🏽to indicate _f**k you._ With the palm facing away it's a _victory_ sign.