Uncovering Britain's Bronze Age Isle Of The Dead | Time Team | Odyssey

Time Team are investigating a Bronze Age trackway and what could be an ancient burial site in the Flag Fens. What they uncover reveals an ancient isle of dead that was hugely important to the ancient peoples of this area.
Odyssey is your journey into the world of Ancient History; from the dawn of Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. We'll be bringing you only the best documentaries that journey into the mysteries and ruins of worlds long lost.
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[@Bareego]

There's nothing quite like Phil's "oooooh".... "aaarrhhhh" exclamations ! Makes me smile every time.

[@junebyrne4491]

He is from Wiltshire. He sounds like Long John Silver. A lot of the pirates were from the west country.

[@catherinecornick7940]

Yes I agree

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

It’s not interesting until Phil says it’s “crackin’”!

[@sixxygrrl]

"Stone the Crows!" 😊

[@southeastcoastalphotography]

@@sixxygrrl that was gonna be my comment. Definitely my favorite one of his expressions.

[@couttsw]

I love how small things with Phil generate such excitement.

[@skiker4560]

I watch these over and over. The joy and enthusiasm from all the team players is lovely. I can watch these forever.

[@MrWompz]

This is seriously one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@izzybeth]

Sometimes Francis can be a little overbearing (see his discussions in this episode with Stewart), but then he redeems himself by respecting the hell out of the people he studies. Depositing the sword in the fen was really a lovely moment. (But as others have said, I really hope they put the date on it so future archaeologists aren't misled!)

[@DipityS]

I'm thankful Tony finished with that summary including a mention of how long it took the creator's of the tools to make them. I kept wondering what series of events led to the loss of such valuable tools - did they accidentally drop them into water and lose them that way...etc But it turns out these people were skilled enough to pick up a bit of flint at required - tap out their tool in a short amount of time - and then leave it behind and make the next one as needed. Fascinating stuff.

[@janmitchell641]

I think sometimes that Phil is often under appreciated compared to folks like Mick, John, Stuart, and Carenza. I observed today, that his skills were used all over the site, not just in digging. His analysis, flint knapping, and wood working skills are often very much in evidence.

[@juliuscaesar2792]

Phil, Mick, John, Stuart, and Carenza all have minions that do all the grunt work.

[@nanabutner]

I LOVE watching and listening to PHIL. He and Tony are my absolute favorites and the reason I watch this program.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@nanabutner How sad

[@Mismj1]

Phil is my favorite! I wish he was in the new series.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@Mismj1 Get over it please.

[@newwavepop]

i have loved watching documentaries about antiquity and history since i was a child in the 70s, there are two things that sort of always get me. the wonder of how so many monuments and ruins through history have somehow slowly vanished under the earth and just been completely forgotten, and particularly in the UK how much has been lost to the plow.

[@TerriblyNice_Not]

Antiquity is a specific period, btw

[@dereks1264]

A couple of thousand years from now some future archaeologist will be digging the fens and come across that sword and say "Aha! Solid evidence of Bronze Age people here."

[@stormysyndrome7043]

Couple thousand years from now, folks will swear the Bronze Age never existed. They’ll be digging up our bones and putting them on public display by then.

[@nahhhhlol]

I had to come here to detox my mind from the cancerous content Netflix is pushing about "documentaries" today. Such a blessing to get real facts here

[@user-wu9gr9xm8p]

Long years to the creator of this Odyssey and long creative work in this vast and vital theme of mankind! I hope the project will continue to exist after many centuries, it is always necessary, it is always important, it is all of us! 😊 ❤❤❤🌎🌍🌏🌌☀️

[@thelostone6981]

Just remember, the more the comments, the more the exposure. So yes, it’s annoying to see “investment” comments by grifters…yet, the more Time Team is pushed by the algorithm by these people. I wish they would stop and please don’t believe their claims, but there’s a part of me that welcomes them. As an American, I’ve learned so much from this show and I had been oblivious to it until a few years ago.

[@mimiv3088]

Didn't anyone tell the camera person that standing behind a falling tree can take you out of this world? 😮. That was so dangerous if it had "kicked backwards" right into them. Supposed to stand at a 45 degree angle to the tree and make sure you have a clear area to run if needed. They about gave this old Grandmother a heart attack 😂

[@flitsertheo]

Cameramen never die.

[@joeeasterling5652]

Being from the US British history is my history. The majority of my family came from Great Britan. Scotland, England, Ireland, and outside of GB in France and Germany. Until recently I felt uniquely American, I was discounting my forefathers and where they came from. We are all cousins, that came from Colonial Great Britan and share some history together in the commonality of where our people originated from.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Full of enthusiasm & laughter introduced 😄... enjoyed historical coverage about Bronze Age...in Britain 🇬🇧 Island thanks 😊

[@giovanni5063]

I love, how in love, Tony is with the pending expedition, in the opening, and then how incredulous he is with how slow or how pendulous the Arche' people are in producing results.

[@phoule76]

I don't recall this episode. Mick is so happy here, and it's not even a medieval site!

[@techfixr2012]

I enjoy Mr. Robinson as a presenter.

[@waienamatehaere6706]

How could u not. He truly take you on a tour of history

[@funiguy8779]

Can't wait to hear how many times the term ' ritual' is used....oh the excitement of it all !!!

[@larryzigler6812]

How sad

[@johnisaaco8795]

Appreciate these "new" episodes

[@karenmurphy7066]

Wonderful archeological adventure! Thank you for sharing!

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@giuseppe4909]

I really enjoy Time Team adventures.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Good work, TEAM!

[@chancer7558]

Brilliant.

[@ritaking8827]

I hope they put the date on that sword that was put into the marsh… I could see someone coming along and thinking they found an artifact lol!

[@tarotwithjae6426]

18:14,when Frances tosses aside his papers, and leaps into the trench. Pure joy.

[@kiwimac]

I DO love Phil!

[@K1110.]

Excellent.

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

I'm tickled to see the man that digs in the dirt, have as much enthusiasm to help make that acts😊

[@carmelbrain7399]

very interesting

[@lindahughes2289]

Thanks again and again......

[@ThePaganPrayer]

Love this show

[@seanpaula8924]

Quality programming. Sorely missed.

[@jayk6447]

They are currently making new episodes over on their own channel Time Team offical. With a lot of people from the old team still on board. Just in case you didn’t know that.

[@jcortese3300]

I hope they engraved that sword at the end with something about how it was left by a team of 20th century archaeologists, or else it's going to confuse the hell out of some diggers in 700 years.

[@componenx]

If someone didn't go pick it up after the episode originally aired...

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks.

[@StRaphael-we9qn]

Perhaps safety glasses were invented since the bronze age 🤔

[@annazaman9657]

Fun fact: Maisie Taylor is married to Francis Pryor

[@Just_Sara]

Well, they're both lucky people, then!

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

Such a great cast of charachters.

[@emelle9705]

Is anyone else obsessed with going to Google Earth today and finding these locations? 😊

[@LuisAldamiz]

C. 1000-1100? That's indeed "brilliant" (I would say "great" or "cool" but I can't but love the usage of "brilliant" for that same meaning anyhow). It's just the end of the LBA (pan-European chronology) and just before the beginning of the Atlantic Bronze period (Westernmost Europe was 2-3 centuries longer still not getting into the Iron Age). A fascinating period no doubt. Was really the sea still rising so late in the chronology? I understood that it reached present levels around 5000 BCE.

[@KidMetairie]

Love this show, but how do they get so much done in 72 hours on weekends?

[@larryzigler6812]

@@KidMetairie " Brilliant " a 72 hour weekend .

[@leecarlson9713]

@@KidMetairiethere were a lot of diggers who never show up on camera, clearing out when Tony came around.

[@leecarlson9713]

This is Episode 9, from Season 7; which aired in 2001.

[@TheAnemarie]

60 years as old as me😮😮

[@dawngriffin3550]

❤

[@jtmcgee]

sucks I didnt find Time Team until after its run was over BUT i have enjoyed watching it online. Great show that doesnt try to hide the disappointments or other realities. Im not a big fan of Francis. Its nothing personal IDk him, but his tendency to label EVERYTHING as ceremonial goes a bit to far IMO.

[@mick7even]

We all have our shtick

[@larryzigler6812]

Just love Francis, just not for your type.

[@seregiel9541]

They have been trying to get a new one up and running which has a few small faces. They are stumbling trying to find their new formatting but it seems like they are starting to find their feet.

[@thercguy420]

Anyone else notice the shape of the Barrow trench? It was almost identical to Phil and mick's bronze axe.

[@boomslang23]

When Tony starts running around 😂

[@JustanOlGuy]

[@stevejaenghan5589]

It's amazing how they used Phil's dung to pour a bronze trowel .

[@sloopjohnb7271]

P.S. I am able to be posting because I have clicked directly on the Odyssey Symbol! 👍

[@leecarlson9713]

I found most of the episodes on KZbin. Many of them on a channel from Reijer Zaaijer. I think you should be able to find him! Good luck!

[@benediktmorak4409]

the - pied piper - well rehearsed indeed!

[@bevanthistlethwaite3123]

Does anyone have the DNA for the horse jaw in order to determine at least the species of horse in Britain at that time, and if so whether the origin of that species is Britain or elsewhere (or is it possible to determine this just from its appearance)?

[@jtmcgee]

Francis Francis Francis youre a stuborn man lol.

[@aubreymellor1293]

why always "just three days"? please explain

[@robmooijaart5313]

They did this in their weekends next to their day jobs.

[@willowgreinke7964]

Was/Is LIDAR Being Used?🧐

[@Just_Sara]

They might not have had access to it back then.

[@leecarlson9713]

Definitely not created at this time.

[@Scotto6977]

Mick🌈sweater ✔️

[@deanchaplain800]

thought it read booze isle... going to specsavers t morra.....

[@deanchaplain800]

love from the colonies......

[@peggylindenthaler6169]

Why are you only given three days each time you go on a dig somewhere? You know that most times that's not NEARLY long enough to do what needs to be done, and just three days can lead to all sorts of mistakes, because you are only given just so much time, and you rush around.

[@wendymortimer6862]

Time Team excavations were started by working archaeologists on their weekends to introduce people to ancient history. Hence the 3 days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A finishing crew were left after the dig to fill in the holes and return the site to original condition.

[@leecarlson9713]

An excellent explanation for the truncated length.

[@leecarlson9713]

Mick Aston had the original vision, and eventually presented it to a tv station, they picked it up, and archaeological history was made!

[@blasphemertheseventh]

There should be college courses taught just using Time Team episodes.

[@ArtbyKatina]

Or maybe just to throw it away because it was rubbish 12:28

[@dasmole4804]

I think that failed sword was more likely than not some young apprentice getting frustrated with his broken sword and throwing away in the heat of the moment

[@larryzigler6812]

NOPE

[@justdoingitjim7095]

Actually young people never started acting that way until they started seeing Hollywood actors doing it. Young people in ancient times knew the worth of items and didn't just destroy or throw things away in a fit of anger! In recent times young people wanted to be like their favorite actor and would act out their frustrations in violent outbursts, destroying theirs and other people's property to show how mad they were! In ancient times things weren't disposable like today and they had to work hard for everything they had and that meant everyone, from young children and women to young and old men.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@justdoingitjim7095 drivel

[@kaibroeking9968]

I consider it rather unlikely that someone would have chucked away an extremely valuable commodity like a pound of bronze on a whim, instead of re-melting it. Depositing the finished article in a ritual is a different matter: here, the ritual aim gets more important than holding onto the item.

[@Just_Sara]

@@justdoingitjim7095 In Romeo and Juliet, the teenagers are killing each other in the streets.

[@chrisbassett8996]

did anyone else see the profile of a face on the map

[@lizzy66125]

get rid of these spambots

[@leecarlson9713]

Just realized that is why I see comments about investing! Now this makes sense.

[@sloopjohnb7271]

@ Odyssey - Ancient History Doc.. I reside in Australia. I am subscribed, but I am now finding when I am notified of a new video it states, it is not supported in Australia. There are other podcasts that are in the same boat. All of which are challenging the current view on history. By Challenging I mean offering new views backed by New findings / Data / Solid Discoveries. This is very disturbing. Science and scientists can only move forward in any field with facts or proof. Ideas and research need not be Facts. But can lead to new Science. Are we seeing even more control of what truth we can learn? WHY is searching for Truth or new views such an issue to those that can control Media across the World? Who is doing this?

[@Just_Sara]

I think it's a copyright issue, since it's still visible in the USA. I hear that using a VPN can help you get around location limitations.

[@aubreymellor1293]

why three days? you always say three days but you never explain three days

[@RKHageman]

Yes, they do. Look it up, eh.

[@aubreymellor1293]

thanks. why not tell us that? i thought this WAS their day job. its still annoying to hear it repeated. and never enough time. so it's amateurville? sorry to learn that.

[@aubreymellor1293]

@@RKHageman look it up where? i'm thousands of miles away

[@dotcassilles1488]

@Aubrey Mellor Most of the people who appear in each episode are professional archaeologists or in whatever field they work in (geophysics, etc) , not amateurs. They work all over the UK on different archaeological sites. From my understanding alot of the digs time team does are helping out organisations or individuals for free. Some of the regular staff are teachers/professors and their students help out on the digs to gain the practical skills and experience they will need to graduate.

[@aubreymellor1293]

@@dotcassilles1488 thank you. so it's all a bit of television entertainment and not serious archeology?

[@barbarab.8613]

Anyone else get the feeling Francis knows absolutely nothing!

[@sunniclark6827]

Why is it always three day

[@sunniclark6827]

Days!

[@larryzigler6812]

@@sunniclark6827 Days

[@philroberts7238]

It was the original format acceptable to Channel 4, the television channel that financed them. The costs involved would have loomed largely in their decision-making, I imagine - as well as including that element of suspense and uncertainty to each dig. (Incidentally, the brand new episodes financed by the patr(e)ons of this channel are not so constrained by the three day limit and they're prepared to go over it if need be. On the other hand, what they're NOT able to do is have a brand new site to visit every week!))

[@seregiel9541]

​@@philroberts7238 They did have some commentary too that it was based on when people could get off work since they all had other jobs at the time.

[@philroberts7238]

@@seregiel9541 Yes, I think that was also a factor - the participants were working archaeologists/academics who mostly had regular weekday employment.

[@lorimars0]

Why is everything 3 days?

[@deborahparham3783]

Because they all have jobs during the week and the digs were done on weekends.

[@lorimars0]

I've wondered that, too. Perhaps that's all Odyssey funds per episode.

[@deborahparham3783]

@@lorimars0 No. The 3 day limit was Mick Aston and Tim Taylor's original concept for the show. An exploratory 3 day dig done on weekends so as not to interfere with their regular jobs. It was to get people interested in archaeology and make it more accessible to the public. Worked pretty well for 20 years until Channel 4 got stupid and screwed it up.

[@AchimEngels]

12:07 Oh no. Any God I really would warship would certainly be most dissapointed if I offer my crap to him. This is not a sacrifice. How can they believe this. This is modern thinking in which it is normal to betray your god. "Give something I don´t value...good enough for him - keep the valuable stuff for all myself....". The sword was simply distroyed and disposed off in order too keep it out of any potential fight in which it would cause only harm to myself or anybody on my side using it. 49:39 Experimental archeology at it´s best. Francis sunk the swort, stept out accidently over oit, bent it and broke it.....no one has seen it and in two thousand years another Francis will state it was bent deliberately.....

[@agent_star]

What is going on? Why are there cryptobros in the comments of a time team episode

[@kreiner1]

I was wondering the same thing, I reported them.

[@bernieozzie7480]

They are all over ytube channels. Scam+++++

[@NeungView]

Report them. Phone number given in spam threat is in Russia.

[@kreiner1]

Who still falls for it?

[@luci2roads896]

You can report those jokers by clicking on the 3 dots and clicking appropriate box. Poof all gone to some tuber tech reviewer.

[@alexmendoza4261]

Phil needs to clip his nails, I can imagine what a mess his house looks like.

[@Happyheretic2308]

A damned cycle path, destroying one of the most important sites in Britain. Gghhrrrrrr.

[@balderii7340]

Pre Christianity death was not significant, just another part of life. People did not fear death, that started with Christianity.

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Priceless historical info. "Yeah, priceless maybe, but you got 72 hours." Capitalism, Baby.

[@georgina3358]

No, it's meant to be exciting television

[@seregiel9541]

It's also because all of them had full time jobs to work around. These actually allowed sited to get grants for further digs.

[@tgbluewolf]

Digs could take months or years, but few attention spans would last that long.

[@Raycheetah]

Looking for bronze artifacts, one might think they would've had some metal detectorists in those trenches, as well. =0[.]o=

[@larryzigler6812]

Yeh they don't know what they are doing, all their diplomas must be forgeries

[@RandomRangerRambles]

Folks with metal detectors do more damage to archeology sites. They are looking for “ treasure.” A dig investigates an area and what is documented there. The idea is not to cherry pick the relics. The relics mean nothing out of context of the site itself.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@RandomRangerRambles Time Team uses metal detectors when applicable

[@Raycheetah]

@@RandomRangerRambles Hmmm... I guess all the times we've seen Time Team employ detectorists on their digs must've been mistakes then, right? =9[.]9=

[@RandomRangerRambles]

@@larryzigler6812 if what they were after was metal, I guess. They are more speed less formal science in these three day investigations. My understanding was that they knew the offerings were there but needed to find the path and verify the cremated remains though.

[@taniagarciaduenas48]

👌❤️🌌🌹😇🫂💃💃💃

[@TheAnemarie]

WTF is a tree thinning program FY

[@leecarlson9713]

If a wooded area is too dense, the trees can’t get enough sun, and grow stunted. By thinning the forest, sunlight can get deeper in, air circulates better, and the undergrowth thrives.

[@jamesa1841]

Haha

[@clementtempleton4250]

Too many 3 Day Limits ?

[@dotcassilles1488]

The time team staff on these digs were all employed during the week at other archaeological digs so they got together for a long weekend to shoot each episode. The other staff were either volunteers or students who need to have a certain number of hours of practical experience to graduate. Blessings, Dot

[@susanhuntley9262]

Sorry, anything that says it's just for me, I leave. I watch at least 1 time team episode a day, just not here

[@Just_Sara]

I'm not sure what you mean. Did you have a spambot comment? I hate those things! I don't see as much now as before, I wish KZbin could screen them better.

[@brodychase6538]

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@Williams Whitfield All you need is a professional trader who will trade on your behalf else you may make losses

[@peterjohn8487]

Anyone who is not investing now is missing a great opportunity imagine investing 1,000 and receiving 7,300 profit from Anthony Taylor

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If I had not experienced this myself I would have said this is all lies, but I've made withdrawals from my profit a few days ago and that's one thing I find difficult and impossible with other brokers

[@cs_fl5048]

why do they still draw the finds...rather than camera shots. It's like we have aerial photography, but we in archaeology will go up in a balloon and draw the landscape. Waste of time and not even as good a record.

[@larryzigler6812]

Then don't watch, you are much too smart for this program

[@seregiel9541]

They probably do both since they do submit all of their recordings for future archeology. The drawings are shared because they show us what was for those who arent familiar. They don't need to share photos as the video footage is a magnitude more photos together.

[@promontorium]

The drawings are specifically about showing what things used to look like, not cataloging the current state.

[@deborahparham3783]

Many of the diggers are students. Have you considered that the drawings are part of their training?

[@leecarlson9713]

The drawings are done on a grid, showing very specific measurements, that at the time of this program a photograph couldn’t do.

[@rick5793]

I really don't know not understand how you can do a GOOD job of true archaeology in 3 days, you can guess a lot or assume much but that's it.

[@RKHageman]

They produced 20 years of very sound archaeology and every site they investigated was formally reported and written up.

[@leecarlson9713]

These are very experienced archaeologists, and many times, they leave local archaeologists to finish the dig, taking time to do a more complete job.