Rooting For The Romans | Time Team (Roman Documentary) | Timeline

An eagle-eyed forest ranger spotted bits of Roman building poking out from the forest floor in Cambridgeshire's Bedford Purlieus Wood and cutting-edge aerial visualisations reveal evidence of a complex of building foundations hidden in the woods. Tony and the Team investigate what these buildings were and why they were here. It's a straightforward question, but the dig is one of the most challenging of the series: it's almost impossible for geophysics to operate in the cramped woodland environment; the diggers can't see each other's trenches for the trees; and a thick layer of autumn leaves add to the general disorientation. But the Team manage to uncover substantial buildings, intricate finds and what looks suspiciously like a statue. Over three days they piece together a tale of Roman industry and trade, and what may be the key to understanding the site: the presence of a fancy bath-house.
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[@TimelineChannel]

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[@tonvanderzalm4612]

Totally agree 😊😊💕

[@realvortex]

L

[@killslay]

Phil was my favourite watching this show with my dad as a kid. His enthusiasm is infectious

[@jdarrell208]

Been watching the series for a few years. Grown very fond of the entire team of professionals and how Tony entertainingly glues it all together into very very compelling historical documentaries! One of the more enduring challenges is to watch any of the episodes and NOT want to enjoy a pint with Phil! :)

[@ethanwilliam9944]

I love watching these guys interact with one another. You can tell that they all share a genuine appreciation for archeology and history. Thay also seem like they are really friends and they enjoy each others company.

[@trishplanck9776]

Ahhh, Time Team, so much fun to watch and very informative as well. One of the best shows on tv!👍

[@deanthurman4916]

tony’s never scared to eat his own words, and that’s why i like him

[@ivareskesner2019]

Always appreciate another historical documentary presented by Baldrick.

[@primitivetechnologypast3966]

I love history!

[@mypal3561]

fank you very much Mr B

[@woodsend8133]

He'll always be Baldrick.

[@ivareskesner2019]

@Danny Isambard Hehe. Well technically there are four Baldricks because in every series it's another descendant... poor Baldrick remained a turnip loving surf the whole time. I guess it was in the blood.

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

Oh Yeah Right!!!! That was his name. Baldrick!

[@LadyLexyStarwatcher]

It is a bit surreal to watch 11 years of Phil in a matter of a couple months. Been binge watching this show since the start of lock downs...

[@mjnm5713]

My favorite architect is Phil, he has a great personality.

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

It is amazing how a documentary can be rather dry. But at the same time, can be incredibly, refreshingly very interesting! Thank you for this...

[@davidconnon1214]

Time Team's Roman Britain programs are very enjoyable.

[@HistoryExplained]

I love that you focus on archeological sites. Thanks for all the fantastic content!

[@cherbinsted2378]

My favourite show was Time Team. Sad when Mick passed away.

[@stefanscicluna2799]

my favorite was you

[@brushbros]

Mick died in back in 2013.

[@beverlyanne5192]

@@brushbros really..thats so sad.

[@jodyshepard9482]

Great to see so many trees! So many woods have been destroyed. Thanks!

[@graemenicholls2836]

Always a pleasure to watch this - Thanks Mick and the team for all the great work

[@killslay]

RIP Mick

[@VincentNajger1]

Fiiiiiiinally, I get to see one of these in Australia coz its not region blocked. Thankyou!

[@vanhattfield8292]

Love this show.

[@hatendiscontent]

At 25:40 Tony says "corn or maize." I understand that "corn" can mean a variety of different grains outside of North America, but I believe "maize" specifically refers to the New World variety. No one in Roman Europe would be grinding maize.

[@pepperspray7386]

Got to be as inoffensive as possible, even if it means calling corn, corn.

[@lottnio8207]

@@mightymite3958 The word "corn" outside North America, Australia, and New Zealand refers to any cereal crop.

[@raytrevor1]

I don't think maize existed outside the Americas before 16th century.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@raytrevor1 And you're right.

[@pamelawherey4583]

I'm not.even half way finished. Wonderful video. Thank You!

[@SNP-1999]

I thought that I had seen all the TT "Roman digs", but I obviously missed this one - not only that, it is an excavation involving our old friends like sadly missed Mick Aston, Guy de la Bedoyere, Victor Ambrass (? hope my spelling is correct!), Matt, and of course Phil and Tony, plus friends and experts. What an invaluable service Time Team did for British archaeology in the 20+ years that the series ran ! Countless sites were investigated, often with astounding results that put previously unknown archaeological sites once and for all on the map and under protection, pending further excavation in the future. The whole team should be awarded a medal for their work, for what that might be worth, but I think that the renewed public interest in history and archaeology that the series brought about was sufficient reward for Tony Robinson and his Time Team. I for one will always cherish the series and the team members for their great work. 😘😘😘

[@Somnogenesis]

Very well said! And it's 'Ambrus', by the way - a Hungarian name, I believe.

[@garryadamson8507]

Well that makes a change, I didn't have to use a VPN to watch this in the UK ... you guys feeling ok? It's a christmas miracle.

[@jamesanthony8438]

13:17 Phil... That looks like a banjo pick! Nero may have fiddled while Rome burned, but Hadrian played the banjo. Who knew the ancient Romans had so much Bluegrass in their culture? =)

[@killslay]

Knew it looked familiar!

[@jamesanthony8438]

@@killslay Kind'a makes you wonder how many other things they may have gotten wrong in their excavations by projecting what they _want_ something to be onto what might _actually_ be something different entirely, because that's... that's clearly a finger pick for a stringed instrument of some kind. =)

[@jackfletcher5351]

The stone appears to me tp be a counterweight like for a gate or crane or bellows or ladel or such. This guy always gives a chuckle or two. Good show. Not to serious but informative and intriging. And for being british I understood everything evryone said. Bravo sir.

[@chorton53]

This is such a good show but I hate these 3 day time limits. I feel that there is so much more to uncover. Hopefully other teams get a chance to go in and do a bit more work.

[@killslay]

@Dan Solomon not for drama necessarily, the dig is subsidized by the filming, which has an air date and a schedule to keep and a budget. Also landowners often aren't happy with people disrupting things for too long

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@killslay Also all the archæologists worked _as_ archæologists for other operations during the working week. After the preliminary dig by *TT* the dig is recorded, reburied for a later, longer dig if necessary.

[@laurahoward5426]

That striped sweater feels like an old friend....might knit a copy of it

[@BrooklynQuarter]

Been playing too much Valheim. Saw the birch trees at @47:06 and thought, "Hey, fine wood."

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@lynnemartin2291]

Fascinating and total fun.

[@laurahoward5426]

Tony is so energetic

[@coloringwithd]

Cool. Thank you for sharing 🌞🌞🌞

[@lisad1532]

Interesting show Thank you

[@Becca2334]

Fun episode ❤️🌝

[@tombruner9634]

3:24 - Product placement, Time Team style!

[@cyan1616]

I always thought that the lump of Roman 'sculpture' looks like parts of carved fishes complete with very faded scales. Maybe part of a small fountain?

[@SquillyMon]

I cant help but to think of everything that was found and lost that surrounds these woods... Just plowed under and cast aside...

[@stevencox75]

i really love these shows i wish it wouldn't block my region (Australia) 75% of the time

[@VincentNajger1]

Agreed!

[@mareetorrumbarry5155]

Second that!

[@russhp4645]

Is there anywhere we can watch them?

[@becgould3772]

Get a VPN.

[@maddog2771]

Was here day before new years

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Our History is awesome I'm from Northern Ireland and according to a DNA test I'm I Scandinavian Viking

[@mauriristola3282]

13:18 as a banjo player I shouldn’t be surprised if it were a finger pick for some stringed musical instrument.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

It is.

[@frenksan5834]

Yup.Using Lidar,sounds like a cunning plan.

[@specter86fl]

its crazy having just watched a video that was aired decades ago to now see something more recent and modern and how much everyone has aged, but i think the most interesting thing is how everyones accents have changed over time Also, I dont think the bath house was for an over seerer, the bathhouse was for the roman garrison that guarded the mines, as the giant open space it is situated inside is a military camp. and the reason you dont see any other buildings is because they were military tents.

[@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.

[@philschuler9674]

Errr Baldrick is looking good these days.

[@philricher9844]

I have a cunning plan to dig up some trees

[@Bagekeas]

This is my favourite person i swear its not a koje

[@mithunkartha]

Baldrick!

[@hoomalumalu]

that stone at 31 mins. looks like a carving of a bird

[@AngloGibbon]

I was trying to watch a video and this is all I could hear

[@usedscar]

Just say "dig a pit" and you get a rousing chorus of "Yays."

[@markbernier8434]

that small"stylus" looks to me like a finger pick for some sort of stringed instrument

[@jamesanthony8438]

Posted that same thing a couple of months ago. They were looking at it all wrong. =)

[@jamesanthony8438]

Personally, I never thought of sticking any of my finger picks onto a stick to prod animals along. Guess it _could_ be used that way, I suppose. Wouldn't be very effective, though.

[@citycrusher9308]

Baldric comes across as somewhat more clever than he usually does in this feature

[@whenthemusicsover6028]

What have the Romans ever done for us?!

[@MonkeyspankO]

:)

[@ROBSHOTZ]

They gave us Gladiator Movies!!!!

[@MonkeyspankO]

@@ROBSHOTZ Monty Python reference...still, good answer!

[@ROBSHOTZ]

@@MonkeyspankO I was thinking more in the line of "Airplane."

[@MonkeyspankO]

@@ROBSHOTZ i have been out-referenced!

[@Syrkyth]

25:40 Corn or maize!? In Roman Britain? On a Sunday? (bit of a pre-Columbian whoopsie eh?)

[@VincentNajger1]

I noticed that too lol

[@cwalt4483]

In 17th century England the word corn was a general term used to describe a small seed like pepper corn. When he said maize that lost me.I scratch my head on that one.

[@nicholasdalli6303]

Maize can be used as a general term for foodstuffs like wheat - but yeah it was confusing to hear.

[@WS-kk2iz]

Who else sees a carved swan statue instead of just a rock...? Could have been a statue top for a gate post, statue in a bath, door/opening statue from the top of the opening.

[@tarjei99]

It looks weird. Why are there not more extensive mines? These are just scratches on the surface.

[@kennethbreed8550]

Those are "woods"?... lol! Looks like a small patch of schrubs in-between some feilds.

[@robrocksea]

at 25:50 'Roman pottery' that "looks like it's for grinding corn" what is wrong with this statement??? isn't that what Brits call 'a cockup'.

[@Somnogenesis]

"Corn" is a generic term for grain crops, as used in this context - it could apply to wheat, barley, maize etc. In North America the word has come to be used more narrowly, for the grain known as maize elsewhere.

[@theodoresmith5272]

They need the boys from top gear to do a dig!

[@dorianlindberg1662]

The Romans ate corn? What books have you been reading? The documentary is really interesting though.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

Corn is an *English* word going back many centuries and it can mean any grain crop, usually wheat. Maize is _not_ corn but is known as _sweetcorn._

[@PhuketWord]

Baldrik interviews baldrik.

[@sharonlobo7930]

Are we digging in the right place?

[@b.griffin317]

25:40 the romans had maize? 🤔

[@lanceortega1]

Definitely, it was delivered by llamas :-)

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

Corn is an *English* word going back many centuries and it can mean any grain crop, usually wheat. Maize is _not_ corn but is known as _sweetcorn._

[@cindyhilt9371]

Thank you for a wonderful, interesting documentary. You Brits have the most interesting stuff in your fields. If I go dig up a field, I will just dig up some cursed Native American burial mounds and unleash some ancient demon that will wreak havoc on everyone. Sigh.

[@maisiecarruthers695]

Well I've seen this its time team but I'm first so had to write something lol

[@maisiecarruthers695]

@@funfact8660 well thanks same to you all the best

[@Headwind-1]

Faye's trench . . . .giggitty!

[@charlespeterwatson9051]

28:22 I couldn't help honing in down there.

[@blueboats7530]

Roman ruin with corn or maize grinding??? oh, Tony

[@alecblunden8615]

"Corn" was always a general description of all cereal grains. "Maize" may have been called "corn" by the Americans (which it is, but is far from the only manifestation thereof), but, last time I looked, they were not the arbiters of the English language.

[@PMunkS]

Edmund Tyrell Artis would certainly be happy that his work maintains contemporary relevance [ www.castorchurchtrust.co.uk/history-2/edmund-tyrell-artis/ ].

[@lindaharrison45]

Poise pilates

[@MartialArtUK]

You wanna let me out there with my metal detector I would have those valuable metals up within hours 🙏

[@johnholmes4363]

Too many ads

[@drinxs505]

Alright another 72 hour itch

[@SharonD369]

Sod Of Baldrick ........

[@user-pw9lj8tq5g]

Tony ... You are so fricken cute!

[@brianbradley7243]

Loin king

[@Bugsy-gc6ii]

/

[@johnholmes4363]

Unsubscribing because of all the ads!!!

[@josephturner4047]

What ads?

[@some______guy]

It's kind of annoying that they don't extend the timeline. Why limit it to 3 days when you find so much? Doesn't make any sense.

[@josephturner4047]

It was a tv programme.

[@melvinshelton8448]

I agree. It's TV. It is unusual that so much about the series was able to produce as much sense as it does. And in the States, we have Reality TV. >sigh

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@melvinshelton8448 It's _not_ your fault but I do get bored with saying this. 😣 The archæologists were all professionally employed as archæologists elsewhere, 3 days is quite common for exploratory excavations and the programme was otherwise very expensive.

[@melvinshelton8448]

Phil Potter Thanks for the information. I did sort of know that the archaeologists working there had the requisite training and experience to do their work. I earned a Ph.D. and an M.D., with 10 years of experience in theoretical and clinical neuropsychiatry. Let me assure you that if you do not have records documenting completion of enough of the training, and documentation of the right experience in actually running the studies, no funding organization worth its salt will risk wasting its time, money and reputation funding you to conduct a study, without first verifying your bona fides. These investigators evidently were funded.

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@melvinshelton8448 Yes, they were, but not heavily. After 10 years *TT* was taken seriously by _the establishment_ but it still had little funding. Look at the *DigVentures* channel to see what *TT* achieved.

[@samanthadavis8775]

It is so sad

[@whiteshadow6373]

It's like the host is trying to take credit for their work

[@MikeyRumi180]

i never understood what Geo fizz did. it's just pixelation and perhaps ridiculous. lol.

[@janethicks1733]

Oh my God she looks just like Chuck Schumer

[@spinnetti]

I hope this "pop-archaeology" doesn't destroy sites waiting for real archaeology.