A row of Mausoleums found at Vinovia (Binchester Roman fort)

[Melvadius]

As part of an ongoing series of 3 day archaeological excavations by Channel 4's 'time Team' they have found and partially excavated the first row of Roman masouleums found in Britain for about 150 years.

 

The discovery was made at Binchester Roman Fort (Vinovia).

 

'Binchester Roman fort, near Bishop Auckland, was one of the largest and longest permanently occupied Roman forts in the north of England. Binchester, or Vinovia as it was called, was a key staging post on Dere Street, the road to Hadrian's Wall and the north.'

 

Full details at:

 

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites...ster/index.html

[Klingan]

From what little I've seen of "Time team" I've had the impression that they are stressed, non thorough populist archaeologists, destroying good evidence in their path, rushing excavations that would have needed time. Is this correct?

[Melvadius]

From what little I've seen of "Time team" I've had the impression that they are stressed, non thorough populist archaeologists, destroying good evidence in their path, rushing excavations that would have needed time. Is this correct?

 

I would tend to disagree, although some well known archaeologists initially decried their methods, over the years since they first started, Time Team have built up a deserved reputation for carrying out responsible archaeology using a variety of modern techniques - many of which have now become commonplace, where funds allow, on any archaeological excavation. The archaeologists and specialists who work on the programme are amongst the best available and when anything unexpected turns up they have a list of experts they can call in for help and guidance - in some cases they have even stopped work on finding the first evidence for a wall structure let alone anything deeper as required by a particular sites preservation order. Everything they find is properly recorded and they will delay or even halt totally deeper excavation to allow that recording process to be completed.

 

Don't forget that all archaeology is a destructive process and if it isn't recorded then it is without context so has no real archaeological value. Time Team are well aware of that need and Tony Robinson (who has presented the programme since it started) does actually have good archaeological knowledge (and some experience) even if the programme format requires him to play the part of the gung-ho treasure hunter. The archaeologists in charge will not allow that viewpoint to sway their use of good archaeological technique.

 

If they were irresponsible English Heritage (and the other statutory bodies in the UK) who have responsiblity for protecting archaeological sites would not allow them the access and support they have had since about 1991 when the programmes started.

 

To make the most of their limited time they make extensive use of maps, previous reports, aerial photographs and geophysical surveys to target areas of specific interest and then use mechanical excavators to get down to the in-situ preserved archaeological layers. However mechanical excavation is done extremely carefully in small spits and on a relatively limited scale under close supervision of experienced archaeologists. As soon as anything of interest is found the machine 'over burden' removal is stopped so artefacts can be investigated by manual techniques.

 

In addition they pay for the conservation of artefacts and involved in preparation for the final publication of site reports for the excavations they have undertaken. See the FAQs section of their website which addresses some of the issues at:

 

 

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites.../faqs_prog.html

 

In particular this FAQ addresses some of the conserns about post-site work:

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites...aqs_prog_6.html

Edited January 14, 2008 by Melvadius

[Melvadius]

BTW I should have also mentioned that often they go in to determine the extent or otherwise of archaeology at particular sites or else give specific assistance to longer term projects. With protected sites they have usually been called in to find out what has been left by antiquarian investigations so you may hear them say they are only allowed to dig one or at most two trenches, often of a specified size, in a particular area.

 

Once they have completed their investigations for their programme several sites have subsequently been given protected status [iIRC in one case the statury protection body granted an emergency order while they were there] and/or long term excavations have been started.

 

[EDIT - One slight correction to previous posting Time Team 'officially' started in 1993 following a couple of experimental programme formats, using some of the same team, in 1991 and 1992 (this last not broadcast).]

Edited January 14, 2008 by Melvadius

[Northern Neil]

It must also be said that these excavations probably wouldn't take place at all if not for TV funding. Also, in the Child/adolescent facility in which I once worked, this programme fostered a genuine interest in archaeology and history among teenage boys whose prior interests were limited to a vague tribal affilliation to a premiership football team, and trying to dress like an LA gangster.

[Augustus Caesar]

It should also be stressed that with such dstinguished guests on the shows like Guy de la Bedoyere, Lyndsey Allason Jones and of course many more taking part the show is given so much credence and guidance by these specialists. Without those helpful folks and the backing of the Universities etc the programme probably wouldn't be made.

 

Maybe in the early days there may have been a small case for anti TT brigade to spout over. But certainly not now and for at least 90% of the series as a whole.

 

It is one of the most interesting and thought provoking programmes on TV in its own right. Long may it continue. Tony Robinson by the way is the shows Executive Producer for those who didn't realise. Those who decry the show really don't understand it or just simply are too stuck in the mud and maybe should be investigated themselves!!

[Klingan]

I rest my case and trust your experience in the matter since mine is after just one or two episodes.