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1 | 00:00:19,333 | 00:00:21,609 | We might be a small island, | We might be a small island, |
2 | 00:00:21,633 | 00:00:24,176 | but we've got a big history. | but we've got a big history. |
3 | 00:00:24,200 | 00:00:25,376 | Everywhere you stand, | Everywhere you stand, |
4 | 00:00:25,400 | 00:00:27,943 | there are worlds beneath your feet. | there are worlds beneath your feet. |
5 | 00:00:27,967 | 00:00:29,376 | And so every year, | And so every year, |
6 | 00:00:29,400 | 00:00:32,109 | hundreds of archaeologists across Britain | hundreds of archaeologists across Britain |
7 | 00:00:32,133 | 00:00:34,143 | go looking for more clues. | go looking for more clues. |
8 | 00:00:34,167 | 00:00:37,443 | Who lived here, when, and how? | Who lived here, when, and how? |
9 | 00:00:37,467 | 00:00:39,776 | You can even see the architecture of the bone | You can even see the architecture of the bone |
10 | 00:00:39,800 | 00:00:41,143 | inside the jaw there. | inside the jaw there. |
11 | 00:00:41,167 | 00:00:45,209 | Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle | Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle |
12 | 00:00:45,233 | 00:00:49,109 | drawing together everything from skeletons to swords, | drawing together everything from skeletons to swords, |
13 | 00:00:49,133 | 00:00:51,309 | temples to treasure. | temples to treasure. |
14 | 00:00:51,333 | 00:00:53,633 | She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she? | She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she? |
15 | 00:00:55,400 | 00:00:59,776 | From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest | From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest |
16 | 00:00:59,800 | 00:01:03,043 | on sea, land, and air. | on sea, land, and air. |
17 | 00:01:03,067 | 00:01:05,309 | We'll share all of the questions | We'll share all of the questions |
18 | 00:01:05,333 | 00:01:07,443 | and find some of the answers | and find some of the answers |
19 | 00:01:07,467 | 00:01:10,343 | as we join the teams in the field | as we join the teams in the field |
20 | 00:01:10,367 | 00:01:12,667 | digging for Britain. | digging for Britain. |
21 | 00:01:18,567 | 00:01:21,676 | From Roman times... The mystery of a man | From Roman times... The mystery of a man |
22 | 00:01:21,700 | 00:01:25,043 | buried facedown on a bed of meat, | buried facedown on a bed of meat, |
23 | 00:01:25,067 | 00:01:28,043 | a fabulous treasure trove of coins | a fabulous treasure trove of coins |
24 | 00:01:28,067 | 00:01:31,067 | dedicated to ancient gods... | dedicated to ancient gods... |
25 | 00:01:32,167 | 00:01:36,309 | ...and the shocking evidence of 97 murdered babies | ...and the shocking evidence of 97 murdered babies |
26 | 00:01:36,333 | 00:01:38,533 | buried beneath this field. | buried beneath this field. |
27 | 00:01:44,133 | 00:01:47,343 | I'm heading towards a place close to Hadrian's Wall | I'm heading towards a place close to Hadrian's Wall |
28 | 00:01:47,367 | 00:01:49,343 | where archaeologists are finding signs | where archaeologists are finding signs |
29 | 00:01:49,367 | 00:01:52,567 | of that Roman influence writ large. | of that Roman influence writ large. |
30 | 00:01:54,733 | 00:01:57,309 | This narrow road with its passing places | This narrow road with its passing places |
31 | 00:01:57,333 | 00:01:59,743 | is known locally as the Stanegate. | is known locally as the Stanegate. |
32 | 00:01:59,767 | 00:02:02,043 | It's one of hundreds of similar roads | It's one of hundreds of similar roads |
33 | 00:02:02,067 | 00:02:04,743 | which crisscross this part of northern England. | which crisscross this part of northern England. |
34 | 00:02:04,767 | 00:02:07,476 | But what makes this one stand out is that it was | But what makes this one stand out is that it was |
35 | 00:02:07,500 | 00:02:11,730 | once the northern frontier of the entire Roman Empire. | once the northern frontier of the entire Roman Empire. |
36 | 00:02:14,467 | 00:02:17,576 | And guarding the central section of the Stanegate... | And guarding the central section of the Stanegate... |
37 | 00:02:17,600 | 00:02:20,143 | that important east-west supply route... | that important east-west supply route... |
38 | 00:02:20,167 | 00:02:23,067 | was the fort of Vindolanda. | was the fort of Vindolanda. |
39 | 00:02:27,867 | 00:02:30,543 | Each year from April to mid-September, | Each year from April to mid-September, |
40 | 00:02:30,567 | 00:02:34,476 | an army of over 500 archaeology volunteers | an army of over 500 archaeology volunteers |
41 | 00:02:34,500 | 00:02:37,209 | comes here from all over world. | comes here from all over world. |
42 | 00:02:37,233 | 00:02:40,576 | And every week they make new discoveries. | And every week they make new discoveries. |
43 | 00:02:40,600 | 00:02:42,543 | What you've got there, John, is a beautiful, | What you've got there, John, is a beautiful, |
44 | 00:02:42,567 | 00:02:45,076 | great big, dark-blue glass melon bead. | great big, dark-blue glass melon bead. |
45 | 00:02:45,100 | 00:02:47,076 | And there's a bit of a debate about those | And there's a bit of a debate about those |
46 | 00:02:47,100 | 00:02:50,909 | because some people think that Roman soldiers | because some people think that Roman soldiers |
47 | 00:02:50,933 | 00:02:52,676 | just simply wore these as decorations | just simply wore these as decorations |
48 | 00:02:52,700 | 00:02:54,076 | or ladies wore them as decorations. | or ladies wore them as decorations. |
49 | 00:02:54,100 | 00:02:57,609 | It's a very, very corroded lump of metal. | It's a very, very corroded lump of metal. |
50 | 00:02:57,633 | 00:03:01,176 | But what we've actually got here is the back of the helmet, | But what we've actually got here is the back of the helmet, |
51 | 00:03:01,200 | 00:03:02,843 | by the looks of things. | by the looks of things. |
52 | 00:03:02,867 | 00:03:04,143 | It's very, very badly bashed, | It's very, very badly bashed, |
53 | 00:03:04,167 | 00:03:07,209 | but you sort of see it in the side profile. | but you sort of see it in the side profile. |
54 | 00:03:07,233 | 00:03:09,276 | This is the neck guard at the back, | This is the neck guard at the back, |
55 | 00:03:09,300 | 00:03:12,070 | and this is the start of the top of the helmet coming up. | and this is the start of the top of the helmet coming up. |
56 | 00:03:15,133 | 00:03:18,709 | Vindolanda has been excavated for over 40 years, | Vindolanda has been excavated for over 40 years, |
57 | 00:03:18,733 | 00:03:22,443 | but they estimate they've only uncovered 15% of it | but they estimate they've only uncovered 15% of it |
58 | 00:03:22,467 | 00:03:26,176 | and that it would take another 150 years to finish the job, | and that it would take another 150 years to finish the job, |
59 | 00:03:26,200 | 00:03:27,909 | which is utterly remarkable | which is utterly remarkable |
60 | 00:03:27,933 | 00:03:33,073 | because the site as it stands is absolutely massive. | because the site as it stands is absolutely massive. |
61 | 00:03:37,067 | 00:03:39,776 | Vindolanda was bought in 1929 | Vindolanda was bought in 1929 |
62 | 00:03:39,800 | 00:03:43,309 | by the renowned archaeologist Professor Eric Birley. | by the renowned archaeologist Professor Eric Birley. |
63 | 00:03:43,333 | 00:03:48,376 | His grandson Andrew is now its director of excavations. | His grandson Andrew is now its director of excavations. |
64 | 00:03:48,400 | 00:03:50,343 | The Romans built four forts here | The Romans built four forts here |
65 | 00:03:50,367 | 00:03:52,176 | by the time Hadrian's Wall was built, so... | by the time Hadrian's Wall was built, so... |
66 | 00:03:52,200 | 00:03:54,043 | Really? So the first ones predate the wall? | Really? So the first ones predate the wall? |
67 | 00:03:54,067 | 00:03:56,709 | Predate the wall by a good 40 years. | Predate the wall by a good 40 years. |
68 | 00:03:56,733 | 00:03:59,509 | And they're a long way down. | And they're a long way down. |
69 | 00:03:59,533 | 00:04:01,576 | They're seven or eight meters beneath where we're standing. | They're seven or eight meters beneath where we're standing. |
70 | 00:04:01,600 | 00:04:03,509 | And would they have been stone built? | And would they have been stone built? |
71 | 00:04:03,533 | 00:04:06,043 | No, the first six forts here are built in timber | No, the first six forts here are built in timber |
72 | 00:04:06,067 | 00:04:07,409 | and the last three in stone. | and the last three in stone. |
73 | 00:04:07,433 | 00:04:09,209 | And so they knock them down, build them up, | And so they knock them down, build them up, |
74 | 00:04:09,233 | 00:04:11,376 | knock them down, build them up very, very quickly. | knock them down, build them up very, very quickly. |
75 | 00:04:11,400 | 00:04:15,143 | So in perhaps only 125 years you get the landscape | So in perhaps only 125 years you get the landscape |
76 | 00:04:15,167 | 00:04:18,276 | really shooting up to the fort we're standing in at the moment. | really shooting up to the fort we're standing in at the moment. |
77 | 00:04:18,300 | 00:04:19,709 | So this is the last fort. | So this is the last fort. |
78 | 00:04:19,733 | 00:04:23,303 | There is an enormous amount of it still in place. | There is an enormous amount of it still in place. |
79 | 00:04:25,467 | 00:04:27,809 | It's because nine forts have been built | It's because nine forts have been built |
80 | 00:04:27,833 | 00:04:29,443 | right on top of each other here | right on top of each other here |
81 | 00:04:29,467 | 00:04:33,809 | that so much archaeological evidence survives. | that so much archaeological evidence survives. |
82 | 00:04:33,833 | 00:04:35,443 | In just the last couple of weeks, | In just the last couple of weeks, |
83 | 00:04:35,467 | 00:04:37,209 | the team working here have uncovered | the team working here have uncovered |
84 | 00:04:37,233 | 00:04:40,076 | this wonderful flagstone street | this wonderful flagstone street |
85 | 00:04:40,100 | 00:04:42,443 | which leads from the northern gate of the fort | which leads from the northern gate of the fort |
86 | 00:04:42,467 | 00:04:45,309 | straight up to the headquarters building. | straight up to the headquarters building. |
87 | 00:04:45,333 | 00:04:48,743 | And the stones are really worn with centuries of use, | And the stones are really worn with centuries of use, |
88 | 00:04:48,767 | 00:04:50,309 | and you can just imagine | and you can just imagine |
89 | 00:04:50,333 | 00:04:52,443 | the sound of those hobnail boots | the sound of those hobnail boots |
90 | 00:04:52,467 | 00:04:56,227 | as the Roman soldiers marched in and out of the fort. | as the Roman soldiers marched in and out of the fort. |
91 | 00:04:59,300 | 00:05:01,076 | As well as the excavations | As well as the excavations |
92 | 00:05:01,100 | 00:05:03,309 | within the walls of the stone fort, | within the walls of the stone fort, |
93 | 00:05:03,333 | 00:05:06,543 | this year a separate team is working in the vicus, | this year a separate team is working in the vicus, |
94 | 00:05:06,567 | 00:05:07,809 | the civilian village | the civilian village |
95 | 00:05:07,833 | 00:05:10,343 | which lies just outside the garrison | which lies just outside the garrison |
96 | 00:05:10,367 | 00:05:12,297 | here at Vindolanda. | here at Vindolanda. |
97 | 00:05:14,733 | 00:05:16,343 | So, what are you excavating here? | So, what are you excavating here? |
98 | 00:05:16,367 | 00:05:18,909 | Well, it's all part of the garrison settlement | Well, it's all part of the garrison settlement |
99 | 00:05:18,933 | 00:05:20,776 | that sprang up outside the last stone fort | that sprang up outside the last stone fort |
100 | 00:05:20,800 | 00:05:22,443 | that was built at Vindolanda. | that was built at Vindolanda. |
101 | 00:05:22,467 | 00:05:25,309 | So it's a combination of sort of workshops, shops and houses, | So it's a combination of sort of workshops, shops and houses, |
102 | 00:05:25,333 | 00:05:27,643 | sort of wagon parks and trading areas, | sort of wagon parks and trading areas, |
103 | 00:05:27,667 | 00:05:29,343 | to supply and sort of, you know, | to supply and sort of, you know, |
104 | 00:05:29,367 | 00:05:30,709 | link in with the fort there. | link in with the fort there. |
105 | 00:05:30,733 | 00:05:33,376 | So it was a bit like retail world outside there. | So it was a bit like retail world outside there. |
106 | 00:05:33,400 | 00:05:35,309 | Had all sorts of shops flanking the roads. | Had all sorts of shops flanking the roads. |
107 | 00:05:35,333 | 00:05:36,909 | Little bit of evidence for a pub as well. | Little bit of evidence for a pub as well. |
108 | 00:05:36,933 | 00:05:39,176 | We had a building on there where we found a room | We had a building on there where we found a room |
109 | 00:05:39,200 | 00:05:40,543 | right on the street front there, | right on the street front there, |
110 | 00:05:40,567 | 00:05:42,776 | and inside that room all the artifacts that were found | and inside that room all the artifacts that were found |
111 | 00:05:42,800 | 00:05:44,876 | were basically drinking beakers and gaming counters. | were basically drinking beakers and gaming counters. |
112 | 00:05:44,900 | 00:05:46,309 | - Fantastic. - Yeah. | - Fantastic. - Yeah. |
113 | 00:05:46,333 | 00:05:48,143 | It's one of those sites where you can almost be there. | It's one of those sites where you can almost be there. |
114 | 00:05:48,167 | 00:05:49,943 | You can virtually hear the Romans when you're digging | You can virtually hear the Romans when you're digging |
115 | 00:05:49,967 | 00:05:51,843 | because there's so many artifacts coming from the ground | because there's so many artifacts coming from the ground |
116 | 00:05:51,867 | 00:05:53,076 | and you've got all these buildings | and you've got all these buildings |
117 | 00:05:53,100 | 00:05:55,509 | that are in really super condition. | that are in really super condition. |
118 | 00:05:55,533 | 00:05:57,243 | For the past three weeks | For the past three weeks |
119 | 00:05:57,267 | 00:06:00,043 | Justin and his team have been working on a cobbled roadway | Justin and his team have been working on a cobbled roadway |
120 | 00:06:00,067 | 00:06:04,043 | which ran through the heart of the Roman village. | which ran through the heart of the Roman village. |
121 | 00:06:04,067 | 00:06:05,843 | We've been really very lucky with this one | We've been really very lucky with this one |
122 | 00:06:05,867 | 00:06:07,743 | because we actually got some super dating evidence | because we actually got some super dating evidence |
123 | 00:06:07,767 | 00:06:09,776 | because trapped in among the cobbles we actually found | because trapped in among the cobbles we actually found |
124 | 00:06:09,800 | 00:06:12,143 | a little silver denarius of Severus Alexander | a little silver denarius of Severus Alexander |
125 | 00:06:12,167 | 00:06:14,043 | which was minted in A.D. 222. | which was minted in A.D. 222. |
126 | 00:06:14,067 | 00:06:16,143 | So, of course, because it was trapped in the road surface, | So, of course, because it was trapped in the road surface, |
127 | 00:06:16,167 | 00:06:18,143 | it means that the road surface can't really have been made | it means that the road surface can't really have been made |
128 | 00:06:18,167 | 00:06:19,243 | before that coin was minted. | before that coin was minted. |
129 | 00:06:19,267 | 00:06:20,597 | So we've got a super date for it. | So we've got a super date for it. |
130 | 00:06:21,833 | 00:06:25,043 | Just beside the Roman fort is the conservation area | Just beside the Roman fort is the conservation area |
131 | 00:06:25,067 | 00:06:29,043 | where the daily finds are taken to Barbara Birley and her team. | where the daily finds are taken to Barbara Birley and her team. |
132 | 00:06:29,067 | 00:06:32,143 | Are all of these artifacts coming out this year? | Are all of these artifacts coming out this year? |
133 | 00:06:32,167 | 00:06:33,443 | Most of them are, yes. | Most of them are, yes. |
134 | 00:06:33,467 | 00:06:35,809 | Oh, this is amazing, this little griffin. | Oh, this is amazing, this little griffin. |
135 | 00:06:35,833 | 00:06:38,109 | Just pull it out and have a little bit closer look. | Just pull it out and have a little bit closer look. |
136 | 00:06:38,133 | 00:06:41,543 | You can see it's got the fabulous wings here, | You can see it's got the fabulous wings here, |
137 | 00:06:41,567 | 00:06:45,343 | and you can actually just make out the detail of the feathers. | and you can actually just make out the detail of the feathers. |
138 | 00:06:45,367 | 00:06:47,743 | And then he's got the hindquarters there of a lion. | And then he's got the hindquarters there of a lion. |
139 | 00:06:47,767 | 00:06:50,943 | And the Romans had a lot of superstitious beliefs. | And the Romans had a lot of superstitious beliefs. |
140 | 00:06:50,967 | 00:06:54,609 | They felt that this type of being would have been very good | They felt that this type of being would have been very good |
141 | 00:06:54,633 | 00:06:57,209 | for protecting maybe something precious | for protecting maybe something precious |
142 | 00:06:57,233 | 00:06:59,376 | and things like gold or treasure. | and things like gold or treasure. |
143 | 00:06:59,400 | 00:07:01,676 | So we know that he's a little statue, | So we know that he's a little statue, |
144 | 00:07:01,700 | 00:07:04,600 | but we don't know what he was possibly guarding. | but we don't know what he was possibly guarding. |
145 | 00:07:13,900 | 00:07:16,176 | The village of Hambleden, near the Thames, | The village of Hambleden, near the Thames, |
146 | 00:07:16,200 | 00:07:19,409 | has always been a desirable place to live... | has always been a desirable place to live... |
147 | 00:07:19,433 | 00:07:23,276 | even so, it seems, for the Romans, who built villas here. | even so, it seems, for the Romans, who built villas here. |
148 | 00:07:23,300 | 00:07:25,043 | I'm just up from the river now. | I'm just up from the river now. |
149 | 00:07:25,067 | 00:07:27,709 | I'm walking along on the edge of this beautiful field | I'm walking along on the edge of this beautiful field |
150 | 00:07:27,733 | 00:07:30,743 | which seems to be growing some kind of cereal crop, | which seems to be growing some kind of cereal crop, |
151 | 00:07:30,767 | 00:07:33,509 | but it's not the crop I'm interested in at all. | but it's not the crop I'm interested in at all. |
152 | 00:07:33,533 | 00:07:36,843 | It's what's in the ground underneath it. | It's what's in the ground underneath it. |
153 | 00:07:36,867 | 00:07:40,043 | Almost exactly a hundred years ago, | Almost exactly a hundred years ago, |
154 | 00:07:40,067 | 00:07:42,109 | this woman, Miss Glassbrook, | this woman, Miss Glassbrook, |
155 | 00:07:42,133 | 00:07:45,176 | was walking along in this very same field | was walking along in this very same field |
156 | 00:07:45,200 | 00:07:49,309 | and started to find some strange pieces of pottery... | and started to find some strange pieces of pottery... |
157 | 00:07:49,333 | 00:07:51,709 | very much like these ones... | very much like these ones... |
158 | 00:07:51,733 | 00:07:56,333 | and she decided they were worth further investigation. | and she decided they were worth further investigation. |
159 | 00:07:58,133 | 00:08:01,743 | Miss Glassbrook approached a local archaeologist, | Miss Glassbrook approached a local archaeologist, |
160 | 00:08:01,767 | 00:08:04,909 | who in 1912 would make an extraordinary discovery | who in 1912 would make an extraordinary discovery |
161 | 00:08:04,933 | 00:08:09,043 | beneath the soil in this Buckinghamshire field. | beneath the soil in this Buckinghamshire field. |
162 | 00:08:09,067 | 00:08:13,076 | The archaeologist Alfred Cocks had discovered the foundations | The archaeologist Alfred Cocks had discovered the foundations |
163 | 00:08:13,100 | 00:08:17,843 | of a high-status Roman villa which he would call Yewden. | of a high-status Roman villa which he would call Yewden. |
164 | 00:08:17,867 | 00:08:19,509 | Over the course of a year, | Over the course of a year, |
165 | 00:08:19,533 | 00:08:22,109 | Cocks would excavate and photograph the villa | Cocks would excavate and photograph the villa |
166 | 00:08:22,133 | 00:08:24,043 | while collecting the finds. | while collecting the finds. |
167 | 00:08:24,067 | 00:08:27,343 | But in doing so he would uncover a dark secret | But in doing so he would uncover a dark secret |
168 | 00:08:27,367 | 00:08:29,676 | which is still troubling archaeologists | which is still troubling archaeologists |
169 | 00:08:29,700 | 00:08:32,076 | almost a century later. | almost a century later. |
170 | 00:08:32,100 | 00:08:34,843 | The main villa house is what we see in this photograph. | The main villa house is what we see in this photograph. |
171 | 00:08:34,867 | 00:08:38,576 | And there's a little bump in the middle of the field here. | And there's a little bump in the middle of the field here. |
172 | 00:08:38,600 | 00:08:40,043 | And the bump is entirely due | And the bump is entirely due |
173 | 00:08:40,067 | 00:08:42,043 | to that building beneath the surface. | to that building beneath the surface. |
174 | 00:08:42,067 | 00:08:43,043 | But it's quite nice. | But it's quite nice. |
175 | 00:08:43,067 | 00:08:44,443 | You can work out where you are, | You can work out where you are, |
176 | 00:08:44,467 | 00:08:46,509 | and you know it's that bump because you can actually see | and you know it's that bump because you can actually see |
177 | 00:08:46,533 | 00:08:47,743 | the scene in front of you. | the scene in front of you. |
178 | 00:08:47,767 | 00:08:49,276 | You've got that house there | You've got that house there |
179 | 00:08:49,300 | 00:08:51,609 | which has got a white front on it, | which has got a white front on it, |
180 | 00:08:51,633 | 00:08:53,376 | a white gable end. | a white gable end. |
181 | 00:08:53,400 | 00:08:55,309 | It's now pebble-dashed, isn't it? | It's now pebble-dashed, isn't it? |
182 | 00:08:55,333 | 00:08:57,043 | - That's it, isn't it? - That's right. | - That's it, isn't it? - That's right. |
183 | 00:08:57,067 | 00:09:00,243 | - This is a huge excavation. - It is massive. | - This is a huge excavation. - It is massive. |
184 | 00:09:00,267 | 00:09:03,843 | He had to have a huge team of laborers to dig this. | He had to have a huge team of laborers to dig this. |
185 | 00:09:03,867 | 00:09:05,109 | It was all by hand. | It was all by hand. |
186 | 00:09:05,133 | 00:09:07,443 | It's all by shovel and wheelbarrows, | It's all by shovel and wheelbarrows, |
187 | 00:09:07,467 | 00:09:09,309 | and so that would have been a huge labor force | and so that would have been a huge labor force |
188 | 00:09:09,333 | 00:09:10,743 | and an enormous cost. | and an enormous cost. |
189 | 00:09:10,767 | 00:09:13,443 | So this is all still there underneath that wheat? | So this is all still there underneath that wheat? |
190 | 00:09:13,467 | 00:09:14,443 | Still there. | Still there. |
191 | 00:09:14,467 | 00:09:16,309 | Just it's got all the backfill, | Just it's got all the backfill, |
192 | 00:09:16,333 | 00:09:17,876 | then the soil layer reinstated, | then the soil layer reinstated, |
193 | 00:09:17,900 | 00:09:20,100 | and of course crops on it for evermore. | and of course crops on it for evermore. |
194 | 00:09:21,400 | 00:09:24,043 | For many years, the finds from Yewden Roman villa | For many years, the finds from Yewden Roman villa |
195 | 00:09:24,067 | 00:09:26,476 | were kept in a special museum at Hambleden. | were kept in a special museum at Hambleden. |
196 | 00:09:26,500 | 00:09:28,943 | But when that closed in the 1950s, | But when that closed in the 1950s, |
197 | 00:09:28,967 | 00:09:31,476 | they were moved to Buckinghamshire County Museum | they were moved to Buckinghamshire County Museum |
198 | 00:09:31,500 | 00:09:34,143 | in Aylesbury, where, appropriately enough, | in Aylesbury, where, appropriately enough, |
199 | 00:09:34,167 | 00:09:37,097 | Alfred Cocks was once curator. | Alfred Cocks was once curator. |
200 | 00:09:38,167 | 00:09:41,609 | Cocks published his results in 1921. | Cocks published his results in 1921. |
201 | 00:09:41,633 | 00:09:44,076 | But it's the way he reached his conclusions | But it's the way he reached his conclusions |
202 | 00:09:44,100 | 00:09:47,100 | that's interesting archaeologists today. | that's interesting archaeologists today. |
203 | 00:09:48,067 | 00:09:50,776 | Alfred Cocks was unlike most of the antiquarian | Alfred Cocks was unlike most of the antiquarian |
204 | 00:09:50,800 | 00:09:53,876 | archaeologists operating in the early 20th century, | archaeologists operating in the early 20th century, |
205 | 00:09:53,900 | 00:09:57,043 | many of whom are, to be honest, just treasure hunters. | many of whom are, to be honest, just treasure hunters. |
206 | 00:09:57,067 | 00:09:58,509 | But Cocks was different. | But Cocks was different. |
207 | 00:09:58,533 | 00:10:02,176 | He paid careful attention to each and every find. | He paid careful attention to each and every find. |
208 | 00:10:02,200 | 00:10:05,509 | He labeled them with the name, the location, | He labeled them with the name, the location, |
209 | 00:10:05,533 | 00:10:08,733 | and even the precise depth at which they were found. | and even the precise depth at which they were found. |
210 | 00:10:10,133 | 00:10:16,103 | The artifacts from the 1912 excavation fill over 300 boxes. | The artifacts from the 1912 excavation fill over 300 boxes. |
211 | 00:10:17,467 | 00:10:20,309 | So, Brett, all of these boxes here are from Yewden, are they? | So, Brett, all of these boxes here are from Yewden, are they? |
212 | 00:10:20,333 | 00:10:21,776 | Absolutely. | Absolutely. |
213 | 00:10:21,800 | 00:10:24,143 | Brett Thorn is keeper of archaeology | Brett Thorn is keeper of archaeology |
214 | 00:10:24,167 | 00:10:26,276 | at the Buckinghamshire County Museum. | at the Buckinghamshire County Museum. |
215 | 00:10:26,300 | 00:10:27,776 | But this is all of the objects | But this is all of the objects |
216 | 00:10:27,800 | 00:10:29,876 | he recovered from the 1912 excavations. | he recovered from the 1912 excavations. |
217 | 00:10:29,900 | 00:10:33,843 | And these, as you can see... these are Roman brooches. | And these, as you can see... these are Roman brooches. |
218 | 00:10:33,867 | 00:10:36,343 | But he's not just collecting the brooches. | But he's not just collecting the brooches. |
219 | 00:10:36,367 | 00:10:37,909 | There are little pieces of just, well, | There are little pieces of just, well, |
220 | 00:10:37,933 | 00:10:39,409 | random bits of metal here as well. | random bits of metal here as well. |
221 | 00:10:39,433 | 00:10:41,143 | Exactly. He didn't differentiate. | Exactly. He didn't differentiate. |
222 | 00:10:41,167 | 00:10:42,876 | He just picked up absolutely everything. | He just picked up absolutely everything. |
223 | 00:10:42,900 | 00:10:45,343 | Not only did he collect even the tiniest little cruddy bit, | Not only did he collect even the tiniest little cruddy bit, |
224 | 00:10:45,367 | 00:10:47,009 | like that little section there, | like that little section there, |
225 | 00:10:47,033 | 00:10:49,976 | he labeled everything... even these tiny pieces. | he labeled everything... even these tiny pieces. |
226 | 00:10:50,000 | 00:10:51,843 | Just to kind of show you an example, | Just to kind of show you an example, |
227 | 00:10:51,867 | 00:10:55,543 | if I show you this one... this rather crude bit of card. | if I show you this one... this rather crude bit of card. |
228 | 00:10:55,567 | 00:10:56,676 | Is that Cocks' writing? | Is that Cocks' writing? |
229 | 00:10:56,700 | 00:10:58,343 | This is Cocks' handwriting, yeah. | This is Cocks' handwriting, yeah. |
230 | 00:10:58,367 | 00:10:59,543 | "East side of yard, | "East side of yard, |
231 | 00:10:59,567 | 00:11:02,843 | 35 inches north of enclosure wall, Yewden." | 35 inches north of enclosure wall, Yewden." |
232 | 00:11:02,867 | 00:11:04,576 | And the date... "2/10/12." | And the date... "2/10/12." |
233 | 00:11:04,600 | 00:11:06,576 | So this is his original display piece. | So this is his original display piece. |
234 | 00:11:06,600 | 00:11:07,776 | Fantastic. | Fantastic. |
235 | 00:11:07,800 | 00:11:11,109 | So this must be really unusual for the time. | So this must be really unusual for the time. |
236 | 00:11:11,133 | 00:11:12,476 | Hugely unusual. | Hugely unusual. |
237 | 00:11:12,500 | 00:11:13,776 | I mean, people... | I mean, people... |
238 | 00:11:13,800 | 00:11:16,176 | These antiquarians just went in and dug. | These antiquarians just went in and dug. |
239 | 00:11:16,200 | 00:11:17,609 | They just took out the goodies, | They just took out the goodies, |
240 | 00:11:17,633 | 00:11:19,743 | the pretty items to put on show, | the pretty items to put on show, |
241 | 00:11:19,767 | 00:11:21,843 | and they weren't interested in anything else. | and they weren't interested in anything else. |
242 | 00:11:21,867 | 00:11:24,076 | All these little bits of bronze wire, | All these little bits of bronze wire, |
243 | 00:11:24,100 | 00:11:25,643 | little tiny sherds of pot | little tiny sherds of pot |
244 | 00:11:25,667 | 00:11:28,209 | where the label is actually bigger than the pot piece, | where the label is actually bigger than the pot piece, |
245 | 00:11:28,233 | 00:11:29,676 | they wouldn't have kept that. | they wouldn't have kept that. |
246 | 00:11:29,700 | 00:11:31,509 | They'd have just dumped it all back on site, | They'd have just dumped it all back on site, |
247 | 00:11:31,533 | 00:11:33,209 | completely wrecked the stratigraphy. | completely wrecked the stratigraphy. |
248 | 00:11:33,233 | 00:11:35,076 | We wouldn't know anything about the site. | We wouldn't know anything about the site. |
249 | 00:11:35,100 | 00:11:38,743 | There's so much more information available to you now | There's so much more information available to you now |
250 | 00:11:38,767 | 00:11:40,176 | because he's done this work, | because he's done this work, |
251 | 00:11:40,200 | 00:11:42,643 | because he's been so careful, so meticulous. | because he's been so careful, so meticulous. |
252 | 00:11:42,667 | 00:11:43,927 | - Yeah. - Exactly, yeah. | - Yeah. - Exactly, yeah. |
253 | 00:11:47,800 | 00:11:49,343 | Over the past year, | Over the past year, |
254 | 00:11:49,367 | 00:11:52,176 | Jill has been taking home the Hambleden boxes | Jill has been taking home the Hambleden boxes |
255 | 00:11:52,200 | 00:11:55,909 | to reevaluate Cocks' 1912 findings | to reevaluate Cocks' 1912 findings |
256 | 00:11:55,933 | 00:11:58,043 | with the eye and the techniques | with the eye and the techniques |
257 | 00:11:58,067 | 00:12:01,227 | of the 21st-century archaeologist. | of the 21st-century archaeologist. |
258 | 00:12:02,767 | 00:12:05,509 | But there was one particular set of remains | But there was one particular set of remains |
259 | 00:12:05,533 | 00:12:06,909 | which Alfred Cocks was | which Alfred Cocks was |
260 | 00:12:06,933 | 00:12:10,176 | uncharacteristically reticent about. | uncharacteristically reticent about. |
261 | 00:12:10,200 | 00:12:12,943 | Well, in Cocks' report, he obviously tells us | Well, in Cocks' report, he obviously tells us |
262 | 00:12:12,967 | 00:12:14,309 | about a good number of the finds. | about a good number of the finds. |
263 | 00:12:14,333 | 00:12:17,643 | Selectively. He doesn't discuss all the finds. | Selectively. He doesn't discuss all the finds. |
264 | 00:12:17,667 | 00:12:20,209 | And I was rather surprised to find in his report | And I was rather surprised to find in his report |
265 | 00:12:20,233 | 00:12:24,176 | that in actual fact he did find 97 infant burials. | that in actual fact he did find 97 infant burials. |
266 | 00:12:24,200 | 00:12:27,043 | Now, he only gives them a paragraph or so of a mention, | Now, he only gives them a paragraph or so of a mention, |
267 | 00:12:27,067 | 00:12:30,343 | which, you know, even in 1912 that's a very important find. | which, you know, even in 1912 that's a very important find. |
268 | 00:12:30,367 | 00:12:32,276 | It's an unusually high number. | It's an unusually high number. |
269 | 00:12:32,300 | 00:12:35,176 | And it was rather odd the way he just described them | And it was rather odd the way he just described them |
270 | 00:12:35,200 | 00:12:39,176 | rather informally as being wrapped as little bundles | rather informally as being wrapped as little bundles |
271 | 00:12:39,200 | 00:12:42,609 | and potentially buried secretly after dark. | and potentially buried secretly after dark. |
272 | 00:12:42,633 | 00:12:46,276 | Sort of tiny little bag here of... | Sort of tiny little bag here of... |
273 | 00:12:46,300 | 00:12:49,209 | oh, yeah, little infant bones. | oh, yeah, little infant bones. |
274 | 00:12:49,233 | 00:12:53,676 | Absolutely minute. Beautifully preserved, though. | Absolutely minute. Beautifully preserved, though. |
275 | 00:12:53,700 | 00:12:55,043 | The bone is incredibly well preserved, | The bone is incredibly well preserved, |
276 | 00:12:55,067 | 00:12:57,376 | and you've got some little pieces of skull there | and you've got some little pieces of skull there |
277 | 00:12:57,400 | 00:12:59,276 | which is almost eggshell-like, isn't it? | which is almost eggshell-like, isn't it? |
278 | 00:12:59,300 | 00:13:03,709 | It's incredibly thin, but brilliantly preserved. | It's incredibly thin, but brilliantly preserved. |
279 | 00:13:03,733 | 00:13:06,943 | The infant bones were thought to have been lost | The infant bones were thought to have been lost |
280 | 00:13:06,967 | 00:13:10,776 | until last year, when Jill and Brett rediscovered them | until last year, when Jill and Brett rediscovered them |
281 | 00:13:10,800 | 00:13:15,109 | packed away in old cigar and gun-cartridge boxes. | packed away in old cigar and gun-cartridge boxes. |
282 | 00:13:15,133 | 00:13:18,843 | How many infants were there buried at Yewden? | How many infants were there buried at Yewden? |
283 | 00:13:18,867 | 00:13:22,043 | Well, that was the key thing. We've got 97. | Well, that was the key thing. We've got 97. |
284 | 00:13:22,067 | 00:13:26,043 | I mean, it's an astounding number for the one villa. | I mean, it's an astounding number for the one villa. |
285 | 00:13:26,067 | 00:13:27,843 | It's quite a shocking number, actually. | It's quite a shocking number, actually. |
286 | 00:13:27,867 | 00:13:29,443 | - It is. - Yeah. | - It is. - Yeah. |
287 | 00:13:29,467 | 00:13:32,509 | And it's actually quite normal to have infant burials. | And it's actually quite normal to have infant burials. |
288 | 00:13:32,533 | 00:13:33,776 | You're not considered to be | You're not considered to be |
289 | 00:13:33,800 | 00:13:35,876 | a proper human being ready for the cemetery | a proper human being ready for the cemetery |
290 | 00:13:35,900 | 00:13:38,543 | until you're about two years old in the Roman world, | until you're about two years old in the Roman world, |
291 | 00:13:38,567 | 00:13:40,543 | so you do bury any babies that are lost | so you do bury any babies that are lost |
292 | 00:13:40,567 | 00:13:43,043 | between being born and two years, | between being born and two years, |
293 | 00:13:43,067 | 00:13:45,276 | and you put them in the garden or in the yard | and you put them in the garden or in the yard |
294 | 00:13:45,300 | 00:13:46,643 | or perhaps even under your floor. | or perhaps even under your floor. |
295 | 00:13:46,667 | 00:13:49,209 | - But this number? - But not 97. | - But this number? - But not 97. |
296 | 00:13:49,233 | 00:13:52,073 | There's something different about Yewden. | There's something different about Yewden. |
297 | 00:13:53,533 | 00:13:57,043 | There's something very strange going on there, isn't there? | There's something very strange going on there, isn't there? |
298 | 00:13:57,067 | 00:13:58,376 | So these are the boxes, are they, | So these are the boxes, are they, |
299 | 00:13:58,400 | 00:13:59,776 | that the bones were kept in? | that the bones were kept in? |
300 | 00:13:59,800 | 00:14:03,343 | Yeah, this is how Cocks packed them. | Yeah, this is how Cocks packed them. |
301 | 00:14:03,367 | 00:14:04,643 | Cigarette boxes. | Cigarette boxes. |
302 | 00:14:04,667 | 00:14:06,809 | All with his detailed notes on | All with his detailed notes on |
303 | 00:14:06,833 | 00:14:10,043 | about where that particular infant was buried. | about where that particular infant was buried. |
304 | 00:14:10,067 | 00:14:11,476 | And, again, there's sort of the date | And, again, there's sort of the date |
305 | 00:14:11,500 | 00:14:14,043 | and all of the information that he loved to record. | and all of the information that he loved to record. |
306 | 00:14:14,067 | 00:14:15,109 | But it's strange... | But it's strange... |
307 | 00:14:15,133 | 00:14:17,043 | But what doesn't seem in keeping | But what doesn't seem in keeping |
308 | 00:14:17,067 | 00:14:19,109 | is the fact that he squirrels these away | is the fact that he squirrels these away |
309 | 00:14:19,133 | 00:14:20,676 | and doesn't really look at them again. | and doesn't really look at them again. |
310 | 00:14:20,700 | 00:14:23,509 | There's no mention anywhere in the published report of them | There's no mention anywhere in the published report of them |
311 | 00:14:23,533 | 00:14:27,476 | other than a short paragraph saying Cocks thought, | other than a short paragraph saying Cocks thought, |
312 | 00:14:27,500 | 00:14:29,809 | because the bodies kind of cut and recut each other... | because the bodies kind of cut and recut each other... |
313 | 00:14:29,833 | 00:14:31,343 | they're buried in a very small area... | they're buried in a very small area... |
314 | 00:14:31,367 | 00:14:32,776 | that he thought it must have been done | that he thought it must have been done |
315 | 00:14:32,800 | 00:14:35,609 | surreptitiously after dark and hidden. | surreptitiously after dark and hidden. |
316 | 00:14:35,633 | 00:14:37,576 | I do handle human bones, obviously, | I do handle human bones, obviously, |
317 | 00:14:37,600 | 00:14:38,743 | but this is the first time | but this is the first time |
318 | 00:14:38,767 | 00:14:40,443 | I've really had to deal with infant bones, | I've really had to deal with infant bones, |
319 | 00:14:40,467 | 00:14:43,776 | and it's quite... it's quite a strange feeling, isn't it? | and it's quite... it's quite a strange feeling, isn't it? |
320 | 00:14:43,800 | 00:14:45,043 | It actually quite upset me | It actually quite upset me |
321 | 00:14:45,067 | 00:14:47,276 | because they are obviously very small skeletons | because they are obviously very small skeletons |
322 | 00:14:47,300 | 00:14:49,076 | and they were clearly very young babies, | and they were clearly very young babies, |
323 | 00:14:49,100 | 00:14:50,970 | so it just has that effect on you. | so it just has that effect on you. |
324 | 00:14:55,467 | 00:14:57,709 | Nearly a century after Alfred Cocks | Nearly a century after Alfred Cocks |
325 | 00:14:57,733 | 00:15:00,809 | first discovered them, the infant bones are once again | first discovered them, the infant bones are once again |
326 | 00:15:00,833 | 00:15:03,043 | coming under scientific scrutiny, | coming under scientific scrutiny, |
327 | 00:15:03,067 | 00:15:06,867 | this time by Dr. Simon Mays. | this time by Dr. Simon Mays. |
328 | 00:15:08,867 | 00:15:12,943 | It's quote common to find a handful of burials | It's quote common to find a handful of burials |
329 | 00:15:12,967 | 00:15:15,843 | at Roman villa sites. | at Roman villa sites. |
330 | 00:15:15,867 | 00:15:18,643 | But what is unusual is to come across so quite many. | But what is unusual is to come across so quite many. |
331 | 00:15:18,667 | 00:15:20,209 | There's no other site | There's no other site |
332 | 00:15:20,233 | 00:15:23,076 | that's yielded anything like the 97 infant burials | that's yielded anything like the 97 infant burials |
333 | 00:15:23,100 | 00:15:24,800 | that we've got from Hambleden. | that we've got from Hambleden. |
334 | 00:15:31,100 | 00:15:34,243 | Something that struck me as I laid out skeleton after skeleton | Something that struck me as I laid out skeleton after skeleton |
335 | 00:15:34,267 | 00:15:37,727 | was they all seemed to be a pretty similar size. | was they all seemed to be a pretty similar size. |
336 | 00:15:38,633 | 00:15:43,043 | The best way to determine how old an infant was when they died | The best way to determine how old an infant was when they died |
337 | 00:15:43,067 | 00:15:44,597 | is to measure the bones. | is to measure the bones. |
338 | 00:15:46,133 | 00:15:48,743 | We measure the bones of the arms and legs. | We measure the bones of the arms and legs. |
339 | 00:15:48,767 | 00:15:53,527 | By doing this, we can age an infant within about two weeks. | By doing this, we can age an infant within about two weeks. |
340 | 00:15:54,967 | 00:15:58,376 | Simon's measurements confirmed his initial hunch. | Simon's measurements confirmed his initial hunch. |
341 | 00:15:58,400 | 00:16:00,776 | The babies looked the same size | The babies looked the same size |
342 | 00:16:00,800 | 00:16:03,476 | because they'd all died around the same age | because they'd all died around the same age |
343 | 00:16:03,500 | 00:16:05,776 | of 40 weeks gestation. | of 40 weeks gestation. |
344 | 00:16:05,800 | 00:16:07,509 | So it seems what we're dealing with | So it seems what we're dealing with |
345 | 00:16:07,533 | 00:16:09,973 | is infants that died around time of birth. | is infants that died around time of birth. |
346 | 00:16:12,067 | 00:16:14,909 | If this was natural infant mortality, | If this was natural infant mortality, |
347 | 00:16:14,933 | 00:16:18,176 | there would be a wide range of bone size, | there would be a wide range of bone size, |
348 | 00:16:18,200 | 00:16:21,576 | but this wasn't the case. | but this wasn't the case. |
349 | 00:16:21,600 | 00:16:24,143 | And that made us think that perhaps these individuals | And that made us think that perhaps these individuals |
350 | 00:16:24,167 | 00:16:26,227 | had been deliberately killed. | had been deliberately killed. |
351 | 00:16:28,267 | 00:16:32,243 | The shocking evidence is suggesting infanticide. | The shocking evidence is suggesting infanticide. |
352 | 00:16:32,267 | 00:16:33,709 | At Yewden Villa, | At Yewden Villa, |
353 | 00:16:33,733 | 00:16:38,076 | the Romans were murdering their newborn children. | the Romans were murdering their newborn children. |
354 | 00:16:38,100 | 00:16:40,776 | I think the fact that we've got 97 infants | I think the fact that we've got 97 infants |
355 | 00:16:40,800 | 00:16:45,430 | makes us look for something systematic that was going on. | makes us look for something systematic that was going on. |
356 | 00:16:46,567 | 00:16:49,543 | In the coming months, Simon will carry out further tests | In the coming months, Simon will carry out further tests |
357 | 00:16:49,567 | 00:16:51,676 | on the bones of those babies | on the bones of those babies |
358 | 00:16:51,700 | 00:16:54,509 | once buried beneath this Buckinghamshire field. | once buried beneath this Buckinghamshire field. |
359 | 00:16:54,533 | 00:16:58,043 | These investigations may shed light on the motives | These investigations may shed light on the motives |
360 | 00:16:58,067 | 00:17:00,776 | behind these awful killings. | behind these awful killings. |
361 | 00:17:00,800 | 00:17:02,276 | Jill, it seems like there's something | Jill, it seems like there's something |
362 | 00:17:02,300 | 00:17:04,276 | quite disturbing going on here. | quite disturbing going on here. |
363 | 00:17:04,300 | 00:17:07,643 | Because to some extent, we expect to see this. | Because to some extent, we expect to see this. |
364 | 00:17:07,667 | 00:17:11,209 | We know that infanticide was there in Roman society. | We know that infanticide was there in Roman society. |
365 | 00:17:11,233 | 00:17:13,576 | But at this scale? What's happening? | But at this scale? What's happening? |
366 | 00:17:13,600 | 00:17:16,076 | The Roman army just happened to coincidentally be | The Roman army just happened to coincidentally be |
367 | 00:17:16,100 | 00:17:17,409 | just over the hill. | just over the hill. |
368 | 00:17:17,433 | 00:17:19,943 | There's a track, in fact, leading off in that direction | There's a track, in fact, leading off in that direction |
369 | 00:17:19,967 | 00:17:22,043 | towards where we know there's a Roman road | towards where we know there's a Roman road |
370 | 00:17:22,067 | 00:17:24,943 | and, in fact, a Roman army encampment for some time. | and, in fact, a Roman army encampment for some time. |
371 | 00:17:24,967 | 00:17:27,043 | The only explanation you keep coming back to | The only explanation you keep coming back to |
372 | 00:17:27,067 | 00:17:29,143 | is it's got to have been a brothel. | is it's got to have been a brothel. |
373 | 00:17:29,167 | 00:17:30,276 | Really? | Really? |
374 | 00:17:30,300 | 00:17:31,909 | It really is the only explanation. | It really is the only explanation. |
375 | 00:17:31,933 | 00:17:34,476 | You can think of all sorts, a wealth of other reasons, | You can think of all sorts, a wealth of other reasons, |
376 | 00:17:34,500 | 00:17:36,243 | but they just don't hold water. | but they just don't hold water. |
377 | 00:17:36,267 | 00:17:39,409 | But at the moment, the story of Yewden Roman villa | But at the moment, the story of Yewden Roman villa |
378 | 00:17:39,433 | 00:17:42,076 | hasn't been told in all its fullness, has it? | hasn't been told in all its fullness, has it? |
379 | 00:17:42,100 | 00:17:44,209 | Absolutely not. And that is just my opinion. | Absolutely not. And that is just my opinion. |
380 | 00:17:44,233 | 00:17:46,643 | I have no proof of that theory, of course, | I have no proof of that theory, of course, |
381 | 00:17:46,667 | 00:17:48,676 | but it's one that works for the moment. | but it's one that works for the moment. |
382 | 00:17:48,700 | 00:17:51,330 | I'm gonna continue investigating it. | I'm gonna continue investigating it. |
383 | 00:17:53,100 | 00:17:55,509 | A hundred miles away, in Kent, | A hundred miles away, in Kent, |
384 | 00:17:55,533 | 00:17:57,076 | there are new investigations | there are new investigations |
385 | 00:17:57,100 | 00:17:59,543 | into the beginnings of Roman rule, | into the beginnings of Roman rule, |
386 | 00:17:59,567 | 00:18:02,043 | almost exactly where the Emperor Claudius | almost exactly where the Emperor Claudius |
387 | 00:18:02,067 | 00:18:04,167 | invaded these shores. | invaded these shores. |
388 | 00:18:07,533 | 00:18:10,343 | In the year 43 A.D., | In the year 43 A.D., |
389 | 00:18:10,367 | 00:18:12,343 | the people living here on the Kent coast | the people living here on the Kent coast |
390 | 00:18:12,367 | 00:18:15,176 | looking out to sea would have been greeted | looking out to sea would have been greeted |
391 | 00:18:15,200 | 00:18:18,743 | by the sight of an armada of ships approaching. | by the sight of an armada of ships approaching. |
392 | 00:18:18,767 | 00:18:20,643 | It was almost a hundred years | It was almost a hundred years |
393 | 00:18:20,667 | 00:18:24,209 | since Julius Caesar had first invaded these shores, | since Julius Caesar had first invaded these shores, |
394 | 00:18:24,233 | 00:18:26,476 | and the Romans were back. | and the Romans were back. |
395 | 00:18:26,500 | 00:18:29,070 | This time they were here to stay. | This time they were here to stay. |
396 | 00:18:32,167 | 00:18:33,709 | Just half a mile away | Just half a mile away |
397 | 00:18:33,733 | 00:18:35,809 | from where the Roman army came ashore, | from where the Roman army came ashore, |
398 | 00:18:35,833 | 00:18:37,909 | we're getting a glimpse into the Britain | we're getting a glimpse into the Britain |
399 | 00:18:37,933 | 00:18:39,876 | of the first century. | of the first century. |
400 | 00:18:39,900 | 00:18:43,443 | And it's all thanks to an £87 million road | And it's all thanks to an £87 million road |
401 | 00:18:43,467 | 00:18:45,397 | being built here in Kent. | being built here in Kent. |
402 | 00:18:47,100 | 00:18:50,109 | Six miles long and covering a hundred acres, | Six miles long and covering a hundred acres, |
403 | 00:18:50,133 | 00:18:52,509 | it's the last part of a road project | it's the last part of a road project |
404 | 00:18:52,533 | 00:18:55,243 | linking the Channel Tunnel and coastal ports | linking the Channel Tunnel and coastal ports |
405 | 00:18:55,267 | 00:18:57,109 | to the motorway network beyond. | to the motorway network beyond. |
406 | 00:18:57,133 | 00:19:01,376 | The new road here cuts right across a part of the country | The new road here cuts right across a part of the country |
407 | 00:19:01,400 | 00:19:04,576 | that is incredibly rich in archaeological terms. | that is incredibly rich in archaeological terms. |
408 | 00:19:04,600 | 00:19:08,476 | Because for thousands of years, this tip of Kent jutting out | Because for thousands of years, this tip of Kent jutting out |
409 | 00:19:08,500 | 00:19:11,943 | into the English Channel has been the gateway to Britain, | into the English Channel has been the gateway to Britain, |
410 | 00:19:11,967 | 00:19:15,643 | not just for the Romans arriving in 43 A.D., | not just for the Romans arriving in 43 A.D., |
411 | 00:19:15,667 | 00:19:17,476 | but for those who preceded them | but for those who preceded them |
412 | 00:19:17,500 | 00:19:20,176 | and those who would come much later. | and those who would come much later. |
413 | 00:19:20,200 | 00:19:21,709 | Archaeologically speaking, | Archaeologically speaking, |
414 | 00:19:21,733 | 00:19:25,376 | this place is something of a gold mine. | this place is something of a gold mine. |
415 | 00:19:25,400 | 00:19:27,509 | For the last few months, | For the last few months, |
416 | 00:19:27,533 | 00:19:30,043 | "Digging for Britain" has been following the teams | "Digging for Britain" has been following the teams |
417 | 00:19:30,067 | 00:19:32,109 | from Oxford Wessex Archaeology. | from Oxford Wessex Archaeology. |
418 | 00:19:32,133 | 00:19:33,876 | They've been tasked with excavating | They've been tasked with excavating |
419 | 00:19:33,900 | 00:19:35,109 | and recording the evidence | and recording the evidence |
420 | 00:19:35,133 | 00:19:38,309 | uncovered by the diggers and bulldozers | uncovered by the diggers and bulldozers |
421 | 00:19:38,333 | 00:19:41,509 | before the ground is once again covered up, | before the ground is once again covered up, |
422 | 00:19:41,533 | 00:19:44,173 | this time by a four-lane highway. | this time by a four-lane highway. |
423 | 00:19:48,600 | 00:19:50,809 | The entire length of the new road | The entire length of the new road |
424 | 00:19:50,833 | 00:19:54,176 | is being carefully stripped by earthmoving equipment, | is being carefully stripped by earthmoving equipment, |
425 | 00:19:54,200 | 00:19:59,109 | removing the topsoil without damaging the archaeology below. | removing the topsoil without damaging the archaeology below. |
426 | 00:19:59,133 | 00:20:02,676 | Andrew, this is a massive area of excavation, | Andrew, this is a massive area of excavation, |
427 | 00:20:02,700 | 00:20:05,709 | but this is only a small part of the whole scheme. | but this is only a small part of the whole scheme. |
428 | 00:20:05,733 | 00:20:06,909 | It's a very small bit. | It's a very small bit. |
429 | 00:20:06,933 | 00:20:08,676 | This is the biggest dig in Britain this year | This is the biggest dig in Britain this year |
430 | 00:20:08,700 | 00:20:11,843 | and it's a road scheme just over six miles long, | and it's a road scheme just over six miles long, |
431 | 00:20:11,867 | 00:20:14,076 | but it's one big archaeological site. | but it's one big archaeological site. |
432 | 00:20:14,100 | 00:20:17,143 | Almost every single bit is an archaeological excavation. | Almost every single bit is an archaeological excavation. |
433 | 00:20:17,167 | 00:20:19,109 | And how many archaeologists have you got | And how many archaeologists have you got |
434 | 00:20:19,133 | 00:20:20,609 | working here at any one time? | working here at any one time? |
435 | 00:20:20,633 | 00:20:21,909 | At the moment | At the moment |
436 | 00:20:21,933 | 00:20:24,076 | there are about 130 archaeologists on site, | there are about 130 archaeologists on site, |
437 | 00:20:24,100 | 00:20:26,443 | but working in the offices, backing them up, | but working in the offices, backing them up, |
438 | 00:20:26,467 | 00:20:29,776 | there are others, so about 150 people. | there are others, so about 150 people. |
439 | 00:20:29,800 | 00:20:32,476 | So you've got this big new road being built, | So you've got this big new road being built, |
440 | 00:20:32,500 | 00:20:35,343 | and all the way along the length of it | and all the way along the length of it |
441 | 00:20:35,367 | 00:20:37,376 | archaeology has to happen first. | archaeology has to happen first. |
442 | 00:20:37,400 | 00:20:40,109 | It is. It's one of these bittersweet opportunities, | It is. It's one of these bittersweet opportunities, |
443 | 00:20:40,133 | 00:20:42,643 | that the archaeology will be destroyed, | that the archaeology will be destroyed, |
444 | 00:20:42,667 | 00:20:45,343 | but the sweetness is we get the opportunity to make a record | but the sweetness is we get the opportunity to make a record |
445 | 00:20:45,367 | 00:20:47,309 | and to investigate about this part | and to investigate about this part |
446 | 00:20:47,333 | 00:20:49,003 | of the archaeology of East Kent. | of the archaeology of East Kent. |
447 | 00:20:51,067 | 00:20:54,243 | Turn the clock back 2,000 years, | Turn the clock back 2,000 years, |
448 | 00:20:54,267 | 00:20:57,543 | and this part of Kent where the new road is being built | and this part of Kent where the new road is being built |
449 | 00:20:57,567 | 00:21:00,576 | would have looked very different. | would have looked very different. |
450 | 00:21:00,600 | 00:21:04,543 | Then, the Isle of Thanet really was an island, | Then, the Isle of Thanet really was an island, |
451 | 00:21:04,567 | 00:21:07,809 | separated from the mainland until medieval times | separated from the mainland until medieval times |
452 | 00:21:07,833 | 00:21:11,109 | by a stretch of water called the Wantsum Channel, | by a stretch of water called the Wantsum Channel, |
453 | 00:21:11,133 | 00:21:14,609 | and it's here that the new road is being built... | and it's here that the new road is being built... |
454 | 00:21:14,633 | 00:21:16,309 | and more importantly for us, | and more importantly for us, |
455 | 00:21:16,333 | 00:21:18,873 | where the excavations are taking place. | where the excavations are taking place. |
456 | 00:21:19,933 | 00:21:23,309 | The important thing is, this is a precious opportunity | The important thing is, this is a precious opportunity |
457 | 00:21:23,333 | 00:21:28,043 | to record the archaeology here before it disappears forever | to record the archaeology here before it disappears forever |
458 | 00:21:28,067 | 00:21:30,727 | as the new road comes through. | as the new road comes through. |
459 | 00:21:33,533 | 00:21:34,876 | The rolling deadlines | The rolling deadlines |
460 | 00:21:34,900 | 00:21:37,809 | for completing different sections of the new road | for completing different sections of the new road |
461 | 00:21:37,833 | 00:21:40,709 | mean that the team has had to develop a fast method | mean that the team has had to develop a fast method |
462 | 00:21:40,733 | 00:21:43,443 | of systematically recording the objects | of systematically recording the objects |
463 | 00:21:43,467 | 00:21:45,697 | at the time they're excavated. | at the time they're excavated. |
464 | 00:21:48,567 | 00:21:52,576 | Every find is individually numbered, plotted by GPS, | Every find is individually numbered, plotted by GPS, |
465 | 00:21:52,600 | 00:21:55,409 | and photographed, as well as being accurately drawn | and photographed, as well as being accurately drawn |
466 | 00:21:55,433 | 00:21:57,543 | by archaeologists in the field. | by archaeologists in the field. |
467 | 00:21:57,567 | 00:22:01,409 | Back at the construction compound nearby, | Back at the construction compound nearby, |
468 | 00:22:01,433 | 00:22:03,709 | the data is fed into computers, | the data is fed into computers, |
469 | 00:22:03,733 | 00:22:06,273 | and the photos are carefully traced. | and the photos are carefully traced. |
470 | 00:22:11,700 | 00:22:14,076 | I've come a bit further south on the site now | I've come a bit further south on the site now |
471 | 00:22:14,100 | 00:22:17,876 | to an area rather poetically known as zone 6. | to an area rather poetically known as zone 6. |
472 | 00:22:17,900 | 00:22:20,943 | But there's really interesting archaeology here. | But there's really interesting archaeology here. |
473 | 00:22:20,967 | 00:22:24,609 | 2,000 years ago, this would have been the neck of a peninsula | 2,000 years ago, this would have been the neck of a peninsula |
474 | 00:22:24,633 | 00:22:27,843 | sticking out into the Wantsum Channel, | sticking out into the Wantsum Channel, |
475 | 00:22:27,867 | 00:22:30,176 | and the archaeologists are finding evidence | and the archaeologists are finding evidence |
476 | 00:22:30,200 | 00:22:31,576 | of the very people | of the very people |
477 | 00:22:31,600 | 00:22:34,600 | who would have been living here when the Romans arrived. | who would have been living here when the Romans arrived. |
478 | 00:22:36,167 | 00:22:39,509 | And it's here that the team have discovered the foundations | And it's here that the team have discovered the foundations |
479 | 00:22:39,533 | 00:22:42,609 | of an Iron Age roundhouse. | of an Iron Age roundhouse. |
480 | 00:22:42,633 | 00:22:45,343 | And this is a typical building of the period | And this is a typical building of the period |
481 | 00:22:45,367 | 00:22:47,309 | before the Romans arrive in Britain? | before the Romans arrive in Britain? |
482 | 00:22:47,333 | 00:22:48,443 | Yes. | Yes. |
483 | 00:22:48,467 | 00:22:50,143 | For hundreds of years, thousands of years | For hundreds of years, thousands of years |
484 | 00:22:50,167 | 00:22:53,443 | before the Romans arrived, people lived in circular houses | before the Romans arrived, people lived in circular houses |
485 | 00:22:53,467 | 00:22:55,409 | with conical thatched roofs. | with conical thatched roofs. |
486 | 00:22:55,433 | 00:22:57,743 | And sometimes there'd been one or two in a small farm, | And sometimes there'd been one or two in a small farm, |
487 | 00:22:57,767 | 00:22:59,176 | or as seems to be the case here, | or as seems to be the case here, |
488 | 00:22:59,200 | 00:23:02,376 | maybe a small village with seven or eight or more houses in it. | maybe a small village with seven or eight or more houses in it. |
489 | 00:23:02,400 | 00:23:04,676 | So, very typical of the Iron Age. | So, very typical of the Iron Age. |
490 | 00:23:04,700 | 00:23:06,743 | So you think this was a village, then? | So you think this was a village, then? |
491 | 00:23:06,767 | 00:23:07,743 | We think so, yes. | We think so, yes. |
492 | 00:23:07,767 | 00:23:09,043 | As you can see, | As you can see, |
493 | 00:23:09,067 | 00:23:12,409 | we've got many more of those curvilinear ditches, | we've got many more of those curvilinear ditches, |
494 | 00:23:12,433 | 00:23:15,243 | which we think may indicate where the houses were. | which we think may indicate where the houses were. |
495 | 00:23:15,267 | 00:23:16,909 | This one's a nice complete circle, | This one's a nice complete circle, |
496 | 00:23:16,933 | 00:23:18,543 | but we're just catching the edges here, | but we're just catching the edges here, |
497 | 00:23:18,567 | 00:23:20,543 | just little arcs, edges of roundhouses. | just little arcs, edges of roundhouses. |
498 | 00:23:20,567 | 00:23:22,143 | We are really lucky with this one. | We are really lucky with this one. |
499 | 00:23:22,167 | 00:23:25,209 | It doesn't happen very often to have such a good preservation. | It doesn't happen very often to have such a good preservation. |
500 | 00:23:25,233 | 00:23:27,776 | So it would have been a timber house. | So it would have been a timber house. |
501 | 00:23:27,800 | 00:23:29,476 | None of the timber is there, | None of the timber is there, |
502 | 00:23:29,500 | 00:23:32,909 | but we've still got this ditch that went around the periphery. | but we've still got this ditch that went around the periphery. |
503 | 00:23:32,933 | 00:23:34,343 | Yes. | Yes. |
504 | 00:23:34,367 | 00:23:36,843 | And is there any dating material that's come out of that ditch? | And is there any dating material that's come out of that ditch? |
505 | 00:23:36,867 | 00:23:38,943 | We are quite lucky in this respect as well. | We are quite lucky in this respect as well. |
506 | 00:23:38,967 | 00:23:43,309 | We've had some pottery from the outer... outer ditch, | We've had some pottery from the outer... outer ditch, |
507 | 00:23:43,333 | 00:23:46,043 | and it suggests it's a Belgic pottery, | and it suggests it's a Belgic pottery, |
508 | 00:23:46,067 | 00:23:48,809 | which put us about a hundred years before the Romans arrived. | which put us about a hundred years before the Romans arrived. |
509 | 00:23:48,833 | 00:23:51,276 | So it gives you a really precise date for the structure. | So it gives you a really precise date for the structure. |
510 | 00:23:51,300 | 00:23:52,543 | - We're really lucky. - Yeah. | - We're really lucky. - Yeah. |
511 | 00:23:52,567 | 00:23:54,676 | A few feet away, | A few feet away, |
512 | 00:23:54,700 | 00:23:57,743 | the team have just uncovered a cobbled surface | the team have just uncovered a cobbled surface |
513 | 00:23:57,767 | 00:24:00,643 | littered with animal bones. | littered with animal bones. |
514 | 00:24:00,667 | 00:24:03,843 | They seem to be kind of embedded in the stones as well. | They seem to be kind of embedded in the stones as well. |
515 | 00:24:03,867 | 00:24:06,043 | They believe that this was the butchery | They believe that this was the butchery |
516 | 00:24:06,067 | 00:24:08,276 | and food preparation area for the village, | and food preparation area for the village, |
517 | 00:24:08,300 | 00:24:10,509 | whose very inhabitants would have seen | whose very inhabitants would have seen |
518 | 00:24:10,533 | 00:24:14,176 | Claudius's army arriving in 43 A.D. | Claudius's army arriving in 43 A.D. |
519 | 00:24:14,200 | 00:24:16,509 | We've got these two parallel marks, | We've got these two parallel marks, |
520 | 00:24:16,533 | 00:24:17,676 | which could be from a knife. | which could be from a knife. |
521 | 00:24:17,700 | 00:24:19,376 | So this is the remains of animals | So this is the remains of animals |
522 | 00:24:19,400 | 00:24:21,709 | that have been butchered on the spot just here. | that have been butchered on the spot just here. |
523 | 00:24:21,733 | 00:24:23,043 | It looks like it, yeah. | It looks like it, yeah. |
524 | 00:24:23,067 | 00:24:25,876 | And here we've got a tiny gold coin | And here we've got a tiny gold coin |
525 | 00:24:25,900 | 00:24:27,343 | that on this side... | that on this side... |
526 | 00:24:27,367 | 00:24:30,143 | This coin reveals that the inhabitants of the village | This coin reveals that the inhabitants of the village |
527 | 00:24:30,167 | 00:24:32,576 | already had European connections | already had European connections |
528 | 00:24:32,600 | 00:24:35,476 | before the Romans invaded. | before the Romans invaded. |
529 | 00:24:35,500 | 00:24:38,709 | So on the back, you have the horse with the charioteer, | So on the back, you have the horse with the charioteer, |
530 | 00:24:38,733 | 00:24:40,176 | and on the other side | and on the other side |
531 | 00:24:40,200 | 00:24:43,809 | there's just the very faint remains of the head. | there's just the very faint remains of the head. |
532 | 00:24:43,833 | 00:24:47,209 | And we find coins like this, some just a few miles away, | And we find coins like this, some just a few miles away, |
533 | 00:24:47,233 | 00:24:49,209 | by Minster, but in France as well. | by Minster, but in France as well. |
534 | 00:24:49,233 | 00:24:51,509 | And we think it may well have been made in France | And we think it may well have been made in France |
535 | 00:24:51,533 | 00:24:53,673 | and used in Britain. | and used in Britain. |
536 | 00:24:59,100 | 00:25:02,676 | That beautiful gold coin from the Iron Age village in Kent | That beautiful gold coin from the Iron Age village in Kent |
537 | 00:25:02,700 | 00:25:04,743 | suggests we already had links with France | suggests we already had links with France |
538 | 00:25:04,767 | 00:25:07,043 | at the time of the Roman invasion. | at the time of the Roman invasion. |
539 | 00:25:07,067 | 00:25:09,209 | But I'm now headed west to Dorset, | But I'm now headed west to Dorset, |
540 | 00:25:09,233 | 00:25:10,843 | where there's hard evidence | where there's hard evidence |
541 | 00:25:10,867 | 00:25:13,676 | of trading with the Romans themselves | of trading with the Romans themselves |
542 | 00:25:13,700 | 00:25:15,743 | well before they thought of making us | well before they thought of making us |
543 | 00:25:15,767 | 00:25:18,097 | the latest addition of their empire. | the latest addition of their empire. |
544 | 00:25:19,567 | 00:25:21,043 | For more than 200 years | For more than 200 years |
545 | 00:25:21,067 | 00:25:23,543 | the Romans had been expanding their empire | the Romans had been expanding their empire |
546 | 00:25:23,567 | 00:25:25,443 | across the Mediterranean, | across the Mediterranean, |
547 | 00:25:25,467 | 00:25:27,143 | but in the first century B.C. | but in the first century B.C. |
548 | 00:25:27,167 | 00:25:30,609 | they started setting their sights further afield. | they started setting their sights further afield. |
549 | 00:25:30,633 | 00:25:32,543 | Britannia, to the northwest, | Britannia, to the northwest, |
550 | 00:25:32,567 | 00:25:35,376 | might have seemed like the end of the world, | might have seemed like the end of the world, |
551 | 00:25:35,400 | 00:25:38,443 | but it had things which the Romans wanted. | but it had things which the Romans wanted. |
552 | 00:25:38,467 | 00:25:42,227 | And what the Romans wanted, they usually got. | And what the Romans wanted, they usually got. |
553 | 00:25:43,300 | 00:25:46,843 | Britain already had a reputation for its mineral wealth, | Britain already had a reputation for its mineral wealth, |
554 | 00:25:46,867 | 00:25:48,909 | for its gold, silver, and tin, | for its gold, silver, and tin, |
555 | 00:25:48,933 | 00:25:52,509 | but there was something else the Romans wanted from us, | but there was something else the Romans wanted from us, |
556 | 00:25:52,533 | 00:25:54,809 | and it was this... grain. | and it was this... grain. |
557 | 00:25:54,833 | 00:25:56,576 | There was plenty of it growing | There was plenty of it growing |
558 | 00:25:56,600 | 00:25:58,609 | in this part of Dorset back then, | in this part of Dorset back then, |
559 | 00:25:58,633 | 00:26:00,343 | just as there is today. | just as there is today. |
560 | 00:26:00,367 | 00:26:01,876 | And in fact Britain would go on | And in fact Britain would go on |
561 | 00:26:01,900 | 00:26:05,109 | to become the breadbasket of the Roman Empire. | to become the breadbasket of the Roman Empire. |
562 | 00:26:05,133 | 00:26:08,043 | For those living in these agricultural areas, | For those living in these agricultural areas, |
563 | 00:26:08,067 | 00:26:11,527 | well, some of them would become very rich indeed. | well, some of them would become very rich indeed. |
564 | 00:26:17,433 | 00:26:20,609 | Traditionally it was thought that the Durotriges, | Traditionally it was thought that the Durotriges, |
565 | 00:26:20,633 | 00:26:24,209 | the Iron Age tribe who occupied this part of Dorset, | the Iron Age tribe who occupied this part of Dorset, |
566 | 00:26:24,233 | 00:26:28,609 | were warlike and resisted the Roman invaders. | were warlike and resisted the Roman invaders. |
567 | 00:26:28,633 | 00:26:31,209 | But archaeologists from Bournemouth University | But archaeologists from Bournemouth University |
568 | 00:26:31,233 | 00:26:34,209 | seem to be finding very different evidence | seem to be finding very different evidence |
569 | 00:26:34,233 | 00:26:37,333 | at this late-Iron Age farmstead. | at this late-Iron Age farmstead. |
570 | 00:26:39,200 | 00:26:41,809 | Well, this survey of the site, which is a magnetic survey, | Well, this survey of the site, which is a magnetic survey, |
571 | 00:26:41,833 | 00:26:45,209 | shows us the Iron Age ditched enclosure | shows us the Iron Age ditched enclosure |
572 | 00:26:45,233 | 00:26:46,876 | we call a banjo enclosure. | we call a banjo enclosure. |
573 | 00:26:46,900 | 00:26:49,576 | That's because it superficially resembles a banjo | That's because it superficially resembles a banjo |
574 | 00:26:49,600 | 00:26:51,843 | with the body and the neck. | with the body and the neck. |
575 | 00:26:51,867 | 00:26:53,909 | And some of these necks are very, very long. | And some of these necks are very, very long. |
576 | 00:26:53,933 | 00:26:55,576 | Where are we standing in relation | Where are we standing in relation |
577 | 00:26:55,600 | 00:26:57,076 | to the structures you can see there? | to the structures you can see there? |
578 | 00:26:57,100 | 00:26:59,643 | Well, we're standing right at the entrance here, | Well, we're standing right at the entrance here, |
579 | 00:26:59,667 | 00:27:02,843 | where presumably there would have been possibly a gate. | where presumably there would have been possibly a gate. |
580 | 00:27:02,867 | 00:27:04,709 | So, we're looking at this ditch just here? | So, we're looking at this ditch just here? |
581 | 00:27:04,733 | 00:27:05,943 | Yeah, that's right. | Yeah, that's right. |
582 | 00:27:05,967 | 00:27:08,409 | That's this ditch here, and it follows 'round | That's this ditch here, and it follows 'round |
583 | 00:27:08,433 | 00:27:11,509 | and then curving 'round and back down. | and then curving 'round and back down. |
584 | 00:27:11,533 | 00:27:13,343 | This is where you would have entered the site | This is where you would have entered the site |
585 | 00:27:13,367 | 00:27:17,709 | and you would have seen one probably substantial roundhouse | and you would have seen one probably substantial roundhouse |
586 | 00:27:17,733 | 00:27:20,409 | and a number of subsidiary roundhouses | and a number of subsidiary roundhouses |
587 | 00:27:20,433 | 00:27:24,376 | and a lot of activity going on within this large enclosure. | and a lot of activity going on within this large enclosure. |
588 | 00:27:24,400 | 00:27:27,876 | These sites are effectively wealthy, | These sites are effectively wealthy, |
589 | 00:27:27,900 | 00:27:30,500 | well appointed, undefended. | well appointed, undefended. |
590 | 00:27:37,067 | 00:27:38,876 | But there's something else on the site | But there's something else on the site |
591 | 00:27:38,900 | 00:27:41,909 | which really is intriguing the Bournemouth team. | which really is intriguing the Bournemouth team. |
592 | 00:27:41,933 | 00:27:45,043 | They've found more than 30 cylindrical pits | They've found more than 30 cylindrical pits |
593 | 00:27:45,067 | 00:27:48,576 | carved into the chalk bedrock by ancient tools | carved into the chalk bedrock by ancient tools |
594 | 00:27:48,600 | 00:27:50,743 | and now excavated by the hands | and now excavated by the hands |
595 | 00:27:50,767 | 00:27:54,809 | of modern-day archaeology students. | of modern-day archaeology students. |
596 | 00:27:54,833 | 00:27:56,943 | Miles, what are these pits? | Miles, what are these pits? |
597 | 00:27:56,967 | 00:28:01,043 | Well, these are very sort of large cylindrical storage pits. | Well, these are very sort of large cylindrical storage pits. |
598 | 00:28:01,067 | 00:28:04,043 | Basically it's been cut down straight into the chalk, | Basically it's been cut down straight into the chalk, |
599 | 00:28:04,067 | 00:28:06,209 | and we're assuming that what they're actually storing | and we're assuming that what they're actually storing |
600 | 00:28:06,233 | 00:28:07,443 | is grain of some kind. | is grain of some kind. |
601 | 00:28:07,467 | 00:28:09,143 | Have you found grain in these pits? | Have you found grain in these pits? |
602 | 00:28:09,167 | 00:28:10,409 | Yes, yes, indeed. | Yes, yes, indeed. |
603 | 00:28:10,433 | 00:28:14,043 | We've got small pieces of sort of oats and barley | We've got small pieces of sort of oats and barley |
604 | 00:28:14,067 | 00:28:16,509 | which have come out from the lowest levels of these pits. | which have come out from the lowest levels of these pits. |
605 | 00:28:16,533 | 00:28:18,209 | Iron Age barley. | Iron Age barley. |
606 | 00:28:18,233 | 00:28:20,276 | And presumably that's not just for their consumption | And presumably that's not just for their consumption |
607 | 00:28:20,300 | 00:28:21,643 | - on the site here? - No. | - on the site here? - No. |
608 | 00:28:21,667 | 00:28:24,276 | This, I would imagine, is stuff that's being exported. | This, I would imagine, is stuff that's being exported. |
609 | 00:28:24,300 | 00:28:25,376 | Right. | Right. |
610 | 00:28:25,400 | 00:28:27,276 | To some extent, we can see the results | To some extent, we can see the results |
611 | 00:28:27,300 | 00:28:29,109 | of that exportation from the artifacts | of that exportation from the artifacts |
612 | 00:28:29,133 | 00:28:31,076 | that are coming up in these pits. | that are coming up in these pits. |
613 | 00:28:31,100 | 00:28:33,176 | - So there's artifacts as well? - Yes, indeed. | - So there's artifacts as well? - Yes, indeed. |
614 | 00:28:33,200 | 00:28:34,743 | It appears that once the grain's come out, | It appears that once the grain's come out, |
615 | 00:28:34,767 | 00:28:36,509 | they're putting a whole range of artifacts in. | they're putting a whole range of artifacts in. |
616 | 00:28:36,533 | 00:28:39,876 | We've got these large slabs of Iron Age pottery. | We've got these large slabs of Iron Age pottery. |
617 | 00:28:39,900 | 00:28:42,676 | Oh, yeah. So are they using this as a rubbish pit, then? | Oh, yeah. So are they using this as a rubbish pit, then? |
618 | 00:28:42,700 | 00:28:43,676 | Ah, no, I don't think so. | Ah, no, I don't think so. |
619 | 00:28:43,700 | 00:28:45,343 | We're not seeing a mass, | We're not seeing a mass, |
620 | 00:28:45,367 | 00:28:47,676 | a random sort of deposit of domestic waste. | a random sort of deposit of domestic waste. |
621 | 00:28:47,700 | 00:28:50,376 | We seem to be seeing a deliberate selection procedure. | We seem to be seeing a deliberate selection procedure. |
622 | 00:28:50,400 | 00:28:54,043 | We've got fragments of horse and cow and sheep. | We've got fragments of horse and cow and sheep. |
623 | 00:28:54,067 | 00:28:55,143 | It's quite peculiar. | It's quite peculiar. |
624 | 00:28:55,167 | 00:28:56,643 | It suggests there's something symbolic | It suggests there's something symbolic |
625 | 00:28:56,667 | 00:28:58,176 | about placing these objects in there. | about placing these objects in there. |
626 | 00:28:58,200 | 00:29:00,043 | Yes, indeed, I mean, it might be that, | Yes, indeed, I mean, it might be that, |
627 | 00:29:00,067 | 00:29:02,376 | having emptied the pit, you've got to put something back in | having emptied the pit, you've got to put something back in |
628 | 00:29:02,400 | 00:29:04,043 | as a kind of offering, perhaps to ensure | as a kind of offering, perhaps to ensure |
629 | 00:29:04,067 | 00:29:06,043 | the long-term fertility of the land, | the long-term fertility of the land, |
630 | 00:29:06,067 | 00:29:07,867 | perhaps as an offering to the gods. | perhaps as an offering to the gods. |
631 | 00:29:11,567 | 00:29:13,476 | Pits that the archaeologists are finding | Pits that the archaeologists are finding |
632 | 00:29:13,500 | 00:29:16,576 | all over this site seem to have a very obvious practical use | all over this site seem to have a very obvious practical use |
633 | 00:29:16,600 | 00:29:18,709 | for storage of grain. | for storage of grain. |
634 | 00:29:18,733 | 00:29:21,476 | But there's definitely something else going on. | But there's definitely something else going on. |
635 | 00:29:21,500 | 00:29:24,909 | Objects are being placed in the bottom of these pits | Objects are being placed in the bottom of these pits |
636 | 00:29:24,933 | 00:29:28,043 | that have some kind of symbolic value. | that have some kind of symbolic value. |
637 | 00:29:28,067 | 00:29:29,276 | And it's not just objects. | And it's not just objects. |
638 | 00:29:29,300 | 00:29:31,643 | It's not just animal bones and pottery | It's not just animal bones and pottery |
639 | 00:29:31,667 | 00:29:33,767 | that the archaeologists are finding. | that the archaeologists are finding. |
640 | 00:29:37,200 | 00:29:40,543 | Of all the deposits I've seen on the site, | Of all the deposits I've seen on the site, |
641 | 00:29:40,567 | 00:29:43,376 | this has to be the strangest. | this has to be the strangest. |
642 | 00:29:43,400 | 00:29:46,409 | It's an adult male who's lying facedown | It's an adult male who's lying facedown |
643 | 00:29:46,433 | 00:29:48,909 | on what I suppose can best be described as a bed of meat. | on what I suppose can best be described as a bed of meat. |
644 | 00:29:48,933 | 00:29:49,909 | How strange. | How strange. |
645 | 00:29:49,933 | 00:29:51,343 | You've got sort of horse and pig | You've got sort of horse and pig |
646 | 00:29:51,367 | 00:29:53,809 | and cow bone all there sort of underneath him. | and cow bone all there sort of underneath him. |
647 | 00:29:53,833 | 00:29:56,276 | It looks as though he's just been thrown into the hole. | It looks as though he's just been thrown into the hole. |
648 | 00:29:56,300 | 00:29:57,476 | It really doesn't look as though | It really doesn't look as though |
649 | 00:29:57,500 | 00:29:59,176 | he's been placed in there with any ceremony. | he's been placed in there with any ceremony. |
650 | 00:29:59,200 | 00:30:00,676 | It's not a formal burial, is it? | It's not a formal burial, is it? |
651 | 00:30:00,700 | 00:30:01,943 | Well, certainly to our modern eyes | Well, certainly to our modern eyes |
652 | 00:30:01,967 | 00:30:03,476 | it looks like he's been rolled in. | it looks like he's been rolled in. |
653 | 00:30:03,500 | 00:30:04,576 | As I said, he's lying facedown. | As I said, he's lying facedown. |
654 | 00:30:04,600 | 00:30:06,343 | His legs are slightly tangled up. | His legs are slightly tangled up. |
655 | 00:30:06,367 | 00:30:11,543 | There's no obvious kind of order or perhaps reverence to that. | There's no obvious kind of order or perhaps reverence to that. |
656 | 00:30:11,567 | 00:30:13,276 | It's difficult to see whether | It's difficult to see whether |
657 | 00:30:13,300 | 00:30:15,576 | this is a grave in the conventional sense | this is a grave in the conventional sense |
658 | 00:30:15,600 | 00:30:18,343 | and that the bone represents food for the afterlife, | and that the bone represents food for the afterlife, |
659 | 00:30:18,367 | 00:30:20,876 | or whether the adult himself represents | or whether the adult himself represents |
660 | 00:30:20,900 | 00:30:22,209 | just part of the deposit. | just part of the deposit. |
661 | 00:30:22,233 | 00:30:23,676 | How strange. | How strange. |
662 | 00:30:23,700 | 00:30:26,709 | There's something very odd going on with these pits, isn't there? | There's something very odd going on with these pits, isn't there? |
663 | 00:30:26,733 | 00:30:28,076 | There is, there is. | There is, there is. |
664 | 00:30:28,100 | 00:30:31,176 | I mean, it's almost like, I suppose, burying an ancestor, | I mean, it's almost like, I suppose, burying an ancestor, |
665 | 00:30:31,200 | 00:30:33,776 | burying an aunt or an uncle in a cupboard in the kitchen. | burying an aunt or an uncle in a cupboard in the kitchen. |
666 | 00:30:33,800 | 00:30:35,143 | It doesn't make sense to us. | It doesn't make sense to us. |
667 | 00:30:35,167 | 00:30:37,443 | You know, this is the area they're living, they're working, | You know, this is the area they're living, they're working, |
668 | 00:30:37,467 | 00:30:40,843 | but their dead are going in these kind of disused pits. | but their dead are going in these kind of disused pits. |
669 | 00:30:40,867 | 00:30:42,097 | Very peculiar. | Very peculiar. |
670 | 00:30:45,367 | 00:30:46,776 | Whatever the meanings | Whatever the meanings |
671 | 00:30:46,800 | 00:30:50,276 | of the bones deposited in the pits here in Dorset, | of the bones deposited in the pits here in Dorset, |
672 | 00:30:50,300 | 00:30:52,809 | it's clear that the people who farmed this land | it's clear that the people who farmed this land |
673 | 00:30:52,833 | 00:30:55,603 | prospered from trading with the Romans. | prospered from trading with the Romans. |
674 | 00:30:59,133 | 00:31:02,043 | The Bournemouth University dig is showing that, | The Bournemouth University dig is showing that, |
675 | 00:31:02,067 | 00:31:04,609 | far from the popular image of Roman invaders | far from the popular image of Roman invaders |
676 | 00:31:04,633 | 00:31:07,676 | locked in combat with the local tribes, | locked in combat with the local tribes, |
677 | 00:31:07,700 | 00:31:09,309 | this settlement at least | this settlement at least |
678 | 00:31:09,333 | 00:31:12,743 | is suggesting a much calmer transition. | is suggesting a much calmer transition. |
679 | 00:31:12,767 | 00:31:14,209 | Becoming part of the Roman Britain | Becoming part of the Roman Britain |
680 | 00:31:14,233 | 00:31:17,376 | is no significant shock to these people at all. | is no significant shock to these people at all. |
681 | 00:31:17,400 | 00:31:19,676 | There's just a great deal of continuity. | There's just a great deal of continuity. |
682 | 00:31:19,700 | 00:31:23,043 | I think that's pretty much for the whole of Roman Britain, | I think that's pretty much for the whole of Roman Britain, |
683 | 00:31:23,067 | 00:31:26,209 | because we get so awed by the high visibility | because we get so awed by the high visibility |
684 | 00:31:26,233 | 00:31:28,509 | of villas and temples | of villas and temples |
685 | 00:31:28,533 | 00:31:31,909 | without realizing that these just represent less than 1% | without realizing that these just represent less than 1% |
686 | 00:31:31,933 | 00:31:34,043 | of what's going on in the countryside. | of what's going on in the countryside. |
687 | 00:31:34,067 | 00:31:35,843 | By far and away the bulk of the population | By far and away the bulk of the population |
688 | 00:31:35,867 | 00:31:37,243 | are living the same lifestyle, | are living the same lifestyle, |
689 | 00:31:37,267 | 00:31:39,627 | doing the same things, completely unaffected. | doing the same things, completely unaffected. |
690 | 00:31:44,500 | 00:31:47,543 | 30 miles north, in Somerset, | 30 miles north, in Somerset, |
691 | 00:31:47,567 | 00:31:51,509 | evidence is emerging that here too local people | evidence is emerging that here too local people |
692 | 00:31:51,533 | 00:31:55,076 | may have been keeping hold of their ancient beliefs | may have been keeping hold of their ancient beliefs |
693 | 00:31:55,100 | 00:31:57,743 | and ways of honoring the gods. | and ways of honoring the gods. |
694 | 00:31:57,767 | 00:31:59,143 | There's nothing around to suggest | There's nothing around to suggest |
695 | 00:31:59,167 | 00:32:01,076 | there's anything particularly special | there's anything particularly special |
696 | 00:32:01,100 | 00:32:04,276 | or significant about this Somerset field. | or significant about this Somerset field. |
697 | 00:32:04,300 | 00:32:06,809 | But I know for certain that 1,700 years ago | But I know for certain that 1,700 years ago |
698 | 00:32:06,833 | 00:32:10,643 | somebody, or a group of people, came here | somebody, or a group of people, came here |
699 | 00:32:10,667 | 00:32:16,367 | and did something right here on this very spot. | and did something right here on this very spot. |
700 | 00:32:18,200 | 00:32:20,343 | In late April this year, | In late April this year, |
701 | 00:32:20,367 | 00:32:25,543 | metal detectorist Dave Crisp was searching this same field. | metal detectorist Dave Crisp was searching this same field. |
702 | 00:32:25,567 | 00:32:28,876 | He was about to make the discovery of a lifetime. | He was about to make the discovery of a lifetime. |
703 | 00:32:28,900 | 00:32:30,043 | I got this funny signal. | I got this funny signal. |
704 | 00:32:30,067 | 00:32:32,167 | And it was an iffy signal. It really was. | And it was an iffy signal. It really was. |
705 | 00:32:34,467 | 00:32:37,309 | So I dug down, and I dug a bit deeper, | So I dug down, and I dug a bit deeper, |
706 | 00:32:37,333 | 00:32:38,909 | and it was still there, and I dug a bit deeper. | and it was still there, and I dug a bit deeper. |
707 | 00:32:38,933 | 00:32:42,576 | I'm literally 12, 14 inches down now, | I'm literally 12, 14 inches down now, |
708 | 00:32:42,600 | 00:32:44,909 | and I put my hand in, and I pulled out a black thing. | and I put my hand in, and I pulled out a black thing. |
709 | 00:32:44,933 | 00:32:46,809 | I thought, "I've got a rock." | I thought, "I've got a rock." |
710 | 00:32:46,833 | 00:32:49,676 | No. It looks like a bit of pottery. | No. It looks like a bit of pottery. |
711 | 00:32:49,700 | 00:32:53,043 | It looks like... It looks like a Roman bit of pot, | It looks like... It looks like a Roman bit of pot, |
712 | 00:32:53,067 | 00:32:54,476 | bit of black-burnished ware. | bit of black-burnished ware. |
713 | 00:32:54,500 | 00:32:56,809 | "That's quite interesting," I thought to myself. | "That's quite interesting," I thought to myself. |
714 | 00:32:56,833 | 00:32:59,576 | So I put my hand in again and pulled out a bit more clay, | So I put my hand in again and pulled out a bit more clay, |
715 | 00:32:59,600 | 00:33:02,609 | and there was a little radiate, a little bronze Roman coin. | and there was a little radiate, a little bronze Roman coin. |
716 | 00:33:02,633 | 00:33:04,443 | Very, very small. About the size of me fingernail. | Very, very small. About the size of me fingernail. |
717 | 00:33:04,467 | 00:33:07,576 | Then I realized that the piece of burnished ware I had | Then I realized that the piece of burnished ware I had |
718 | 00:33:07,600 | 00:33:09,209 | was the top of a pot. | was the top of a pot. |
719 | 00:33:09,233 | 00:33:11,143 | And I thought, "I've got a hoard." | And I thought, "I've got a hoard." |
720 | 00:33:11,167 | 00:33:13,309 | And I went, "Ah!" | And I went, "Ah!" |
721 | 00:33:13,333 | 00:33:15,076 | And I'm in the middle of nowhere saying, | And I'm in the middle of nowhere saying, |
722 | 00:33:15,100 | 00:33:16,809 | "I've got a hoard." | "I've got a hoard." |
723 | 00:33:16,833 | 00:33:19,043 | I've been 22 years detecting, | I've been 22 years detecting, |
724 | 00:33:19,067 | 00:33:22,597 | and I've never, never had a hoard before that weekend. | and I've never, never had a hoard before that weekend. |
725 | 00:33:24,267 | 00:33:27,376 | Dave was convinced he'd found treasure, | Dave was convinced he'd found treasure, |
726 | 00:33:27,400 | 00:33:29,276 | but instead of digging it up | but instead of digging it up |
727 | 00:33:29,300 | 00:33:32,276 | he contacted the Portable Antiquities Scheme, | he contacted the Portable Antiquities Scheme, |
728 | 00:33:32,300 | 00:33:36,070 | which records archaeological objects found by the public. | which records archaeological objects found by the public. |
729 | 00:33:38,733 | 00:33:40,843 | Finds liaison officer Anna Booth | Finds liaison officer Anna Booth |
730 | 00:33:40,867 | 00:33:43,609 | suspected that this was going to be a job | suspected that this was going to be a job |
731 | 00:33:43,633 | 00:33:46,276 | for a professional archaeologist. | for a professional archaeologist. |
732 | 00:33:46,300 | 00:33:48,176 | We actually had no idea how big | We actually had no idea how big |
733 | 00:33:48,200 | 00:33:50,243 | the hoard was going to be at this stage | the hoard was going to be at this stage |
734 | 00:33:50,267 | 00:33:52,076 | so it was very exciting for us all. | so it was very exciting for us all. |
735 | 00:33:52,100 | 00:33:54,543 | And we uncovered the neck of the vessel, | And we uncovered the neck of the vessel, |
736 | 00:33:54,567 | 00:33:57,509 | and what we could see was a small dish in the top of it | and what we could see was a small dish in the top of it |
737 | 00:33:57,533 | 00:34:00,043 | which was actually acting as a lid. | which was actually acting as a lid. |
738 | 00:34:00,067 | 00:34:01,876 | At first we wondered whether this was the bottom | At first we wondered whether this was the bottom |
739 | 00:34:01,900 | 00:34:04,376 | of quite a small vessel and it was turned upside down. | of quite a small vessel and it was turned upside down. |
740 | 00:34:04,400 | 00:34:05,576 | But when we dug a bit further, | But when we dug a bit further, |
741 | 00:34:05,600 | 00:34:07,909 | we realized that it was actually a lid | we realized that it was actually a lid |
742 | 00:34:07,933 | 00:34:11,476 | sitting on top of an absolutely enormous vessel of the size | sitting on top of an absolutely enormous vessel of the size |
743 | 00:34:11,500 | 00:34:13,709 | that none of us had ever seen anything like it before. | that none of us had ever seen anything like it before. |
744 | 00:34:13,733 | 00:34:15,943 | So it was absolutely fantastic. | So it was absolutely fantastic. |
745 | 00:34:15,967 | 00:34:18,176 | And it was only at that stage that we realized | And it was only at that stage that we realized |
746 | 00:34:18,200 | 00:34:20,776 | that it was actually a huge hoard of coins | that it was actually a huge hoard of coins |
747 | 00:34:20,800 | 00:34:22,376 | that we we were dealing with. | that we we were dealing with. |
748 | 00:34:22,400 | 00:34:24,443 | That must have been quite breathtaking. | That must have been quite breathtaking. |
749 | 00:34:24,467 | 00:34:27,276 | It was amazing. It was absolutely fantastic. | It was amazing. It was absolutely fantastic. |
750 | 00:34:27,300 | 00:34:29,176 | And then over the following two days, | And then over the following two days, |
751 | 00:34:29,200 | 00:34:32,070 | we actually undertook the excavation. | we actually undertook the excavation. |
752 | 00:34:35,067 | 00:34:36,876 | And it did take us the full two days, | And it did take us the full two days, |
753 | 00:34:36,900 | 00:34:38,476 | starting first thing in the morning | starting first thing in the morning |
754 | 00:34:38,500 | 00:34:41,476 | till last thing at night until the sun went down, | till last thing at night until the sun went down, |
755 | 00:34:41,500 | 00:34:44,476 | just excavating thousands upon thousands of coins | just excavating thousands upon thousands of coins |
756 | 00:34:44,500 | 00:34:45,830 | and bagging them up. | and bagging them up. |
757 | 00:34:48,467 | 00:34:50,109 | It took a huge amount of time, | It took a huge amount of time, |
758 | 00:34:50,133 | 00:34:52,709 | but it was absolutely fascinating | but it was absolutely fascinating |
759 | 00:34:52,733 | 00:34:54,573 | and an amazing process to go through. | and an amazing process to go through. |
760 | 00:34:59,833 | 00:35:02,809 | Because Dave Crisp got archaeologists involved | Because Dave Crisp got archaeologists involved |
761 | 00:35:02,833 | 00:35:05,376 | right from the very start... archaeologists who were able to | right from the very start... archaeologists who were able to |
762 | 00:35:05,400 | 00:35:08,509 | systematically excavate the pot layer by layer... | systematically excavate the pot layer by layer... |
763 | 00:35:08,533 | 00:35:12,276 | it's meant we have a much better chance of finding out | it's meant we have a much better chance of finding out |
764 | 00:35:12,300 | 00:35:14,943 | why that pot full of coins | why that pot full of coins |
765 | 00:35:14,967 | 00:35:18,067 | was buried in this field all those years ago. | was buried in this field all those years ago. |
766 | 00:35:28,733 | 00:35:30,676 | The Frome hoard is looking like | The Frome hoard is looking like |
767 | 00:35:30,700 | 00:35:32,809 | it might be the biggest coin hoard | it might be the biggest coin hoard |
768 | 00:35:32,833 | 00:35:34,476 | ever discovered in Britain. | ever discovered in Britain. |
769 | 00:35:34,500 | 00:35:37,776 | They've estimated that there are around 50,000 coins | They've estimated that there are around 50,000 coins |
770 | 00:35:37,800 | 00:35:40,609 | weighing in at 160 kilos. | weighing in at 160 kilos. |
771 | 00:35:40,633 | 00:35:43,176 | That's about the weight of two adults. | That's about the weight of two adults. |
772 | 00:35:43,200 | 00:35:45,143 | But the coins need urgent attention, | But the coins need urgent attention, |
773 | 00:35:45,167 | 00:35:46,609 | and that's why in early May | and that's why in early May |
774 | 00:35:46,633 | 00:35:48,973 | they were brought here to central London. | they were brought here to central London. |
775 | 00:35:52,200 | 00:35:55,043 | The Roman coins arrived at the British Museum | The Roman coins arrived at the British Museum |
776 | 00:35:55,067 | 00:35:58,897 | still wet and stuck together with heavy Somerset clay. | still wet and stuck together with heavy Somerset clay. |
777 | 00:36:00,367 | 00:36:04,909 | Pippa Pearce is a metals conservator at the museum. | Pippa Pearce is a metals conservator at the museum. |
778 | 00:36:04,933 | 00:36:08,043 | For several weeks now Pippa has been fully occupied, | For several weeks now Pippa has been fully occupied, |
779 | 00:36:08,067 | 00:36:11,776 | carrying out the first stage of the coins' conservation | carrying out the first stage of the coins' conservation |
780 | 00:36:11,800 | 00:36:15,676 | by carefully washing the contents of the 67 bags | by carefully washing the contents of the 67 bags |
781 | 00:36:15,700 | 00:36:17,770 | which made up the Frome hoard. | which made up the Frome hoard. |
782 | 00:36:20,100 | 00:36:23,200 | Into the fume cupboard for a quick dry. | Into the fume cupboard for a quick dry. |
783 | 00:36:25,933 | 00:36:31,643 | The coins span 40 years, from A.D. 253 to 293, | The coins span 40 years, from A.D. 253 to 293, |
784 | 00:36:31,667 | 00:36:35,827 | and the vast majority are made of debased silver and bronze. | and the vast majority are made of debased silver and bronze. |
785 | 00:36:37,633 | 00:36:41,276 | Roman coin experts Roger Bland and Sam Moorhead | Roman coin experts Roger Bland and Sam Moorhead |
786 | 00:36:41,300 | 00:36:42,509 | have dropped everything | have dropped everything |
787 | 00:36:42,533 | 00:36:45,376 | to concentrate on the Somerset coins. | to concentrate on the Somerset coins. |
788 | 00:36:45,400 | 00:36:47,530 | Here's another coin of Tetricus. | Here's another coin of Tetricus. |
789 | 00:36:49,133 | 00:36:51,209 | That's Claudius. | That's Claudius. |
790 | 00:36:51,233 | 00:36:53,733 | That's the emperor standing holding a branch. | That's the emperor standing holding a branch. |
791 | 00:36:54,800 | 00:36:57,509 | They've been sorting the coins by emperor | They've been sorting the coins by emperor |
792 | 00:36:57,533 | 00:37:01,143 | at a rate of nearly 6,000 a week. | at a rate of nearly 6,000 a week. |
793 | 00:37:01,167 | 00:37:04,509 | It's now eight weeks since the Frome Hoard was raised, | It's now eight weeks since the Frome Hoard was raised, |
794 | 00:37:04,533 | 00:37:07,676 | and all the coins have been cleaned and sorted. | and all the coins have been cleaned and sorted. |
795 | 00:37:07,700 | 00:37:09,543 | But are we any closer to finding out | But are we any closer to finding out |
796 | 00:37:09,567 | 00:37:12,709 | how and why such an enormous hoard was buried | how and why such an enormous hoard was buried |
797 | 00:37:12,733 | 00:37:14,933 | in that Somerset field? | in that Somerset field? |
798 | 00:37:18,600 | 00:37:21,909 | Roger, this is just a small fraction of the whole hoard. | Roger, this is just a small fraction of the whole hoard. |
799 | 00:37:21,933 | 00:37:23,743 | How many coins do you think there are? | How many coins do you think there are? |
800 | 00:37:23,767 | 00:37:26,043 | Well, we think the final number's going to be | Well, we think the final number's going to be |
801 | 00:37:26,067 | 00:37:29,209 | just over 52,500 coins. | just over 52,500 coins. |
802 | 00:37:29,233 | 00:37:32,043 | So how big is this hoard in the context of other hoards | So how big is this hoard in the context of other hoards |
803 | 00:37:32,067 | 00:37:33,476 | that have been found in Britain? | that have been found in Britain? |
804 | 00:37:33,500 | 00:37:36,043 | It's the largest-ever hoard | It's the largest-ever hoard |
805 | 00:37:36,067 | 00:37:38,076 | found in a single pot in this country. | found in a single pot in this country. |
806 | 00:37:38,100 | 00:37:40,776 | There was another hoard found in 1978 | There was another hoard found in 1978 |
807 | 00:37:40,800 | 00:37:43,609 | which had just a couple of thousand more coins, | which had just a couple of thousand more coins, |
808 | 00:37:43,633 | 00:37:45,376 | but that was in two pots. | but that was in two pots. |
809 | 00:37:45,400 | 00:37:48,476 | And do you have any idea the value of these coins? | And do you have any idea the value of these coins? |
810 | 00:37:48,500 | 00:37:52,709 | Maybe about the equivalent of four years' pay | Maybe about the equivalent of four years' pay |
811 | 00:37:52,733 | 00:37:55,043 | for a Roman legionary soldier. | for a Roman legionary soldier. |
812 | 00:37:55,067 | 00:37:58,909 | So if you were to turn that into present-day values, | So if you were to turn that into present-day values, |
813 | 00:37:58,933 | 00:38:03,143 | that might be about £100,000 in present-day terms. | that might be about £100,000 in present-day terms. |
814 | 00:38:03,167 | 00:38:05,409 | So, Sam, this is a piece of the pot, is it? | So, Sam, this is a piece of the pot, is it? |
815 | 00:38:05,433 | 00:38:08,143 | Yes, this is the piece of the pot that it was found in. | Yes, this is the piece of the pot that it was found in. |
816 | 00:38:08,167 | 00:38:10,809 | When they excavated, the pot was already broken. | When they excavated, the pot was already broken. |
817 | 00:38:10,833 | 00:38:14,076 | And you can see it's quite thin. | And you can see it's quite thin. |
818 | 00:38:14,100 | 00:38:15,643 | Neither I nor the conservator believe | Neither I nor the conservator believe |
819 | 00:38:15,667 | 00:38:18,409 | that this would have been able to hold | that this would have been able to hold |
820 | 00:38:18,433 | 00:38:21,043 | 160 kilograms of metal without breaking. | 160 kilograms of metal without breaking. |
821 | 00:38:21,067 | 00:38:22,709 | That is very thin. | That is very thin. |
822 | 00:38:22,733 | 00:38:24,609 | And so it's almost certain | And so it's almost certain |
823 | 00:38:24,633 | 00:38:27,843 | that the pot was actually buried in the ground first | that the pot was actually buried in the ground first |
824 | 00:38:27,867 | 00:38:29,409 | and then the coins were added | and then the coins were added |
825 | 00:38:29,433 | 00:38:31,673 | after it had been put in the ground. | after it had been put in the ground. |
826 | 00:38:32,800 | 00:38:34,643 | Sam doesn't think that this pot | Sam doesn't think that this pot |
827 | 00:38:34,667 | 00:38:36,809 | was one person's savings scheme, | was one person's savings scheme, |
828 | 00:38:36,833 | 00:38:40,209 | but more likely part of an ancient ritual. | but more likely part of an ancient ritual. |
829 | 00:38:40,233 | 00:38:43,843 | I don't believe myself that this is a hoard of coins | I don't believe myself that this is a hoard of coins |
830 | 00:38:43,867 | 00:38:45,143 | intended for recovery. | intended for recovery. |
831 | 00:38:45,167 | 00:38:48,243 | And I think what you could see is a community of people | And I think what you could see is a community of people |
832 | 00:38:48,267 | 00:38:50,309 | who are actually making offerings, | who are actually making offerings, |
833 | 00:38:50,333 | 00:38:52,909 | and they are each pouring in their own contribution | and they are each pouring in their own contribution |
834 | 00:38:52,933 | 00:38:55,376 | to a communal ritual votive offering | to a communal ritual votive offering |
835 | 00:38:55,400 | 00:38:57,343 | to the gods or whoever it is. | to the gods or whoever it is. |
836 | 00:38:57,367 | 00:38:58,643 | Just because it's communal | Just because it's communal |
837 | 00:38:58,667 | 00:39:00,443 | doesn't necessarily mean it's ritual, though, does it? | doesn't necessarily mean it's ritual, though, does it? |
838 | 00:39:00,467 | 00:39:02,176 | Because people could be burying something in the ground | Because people could be burying something in the ground |
839 | 00:39:02,200 | 00:39:04,243 | that they were worried was going to be taken away from them. | that they were worried was going to be taken away from them. |
840 | 00:39:04,267 | 00:39:07,043 | If you were going to bury this for security and safety, | If you were going to bury this for security and safety, |
841 | 00:39:07,067 | 00:39:08,509 | you'd put it in lots of different pots | you'd put it in lots of different pots |
842 | 00:39:08,533 | 00:39:11,143 | so you could easily take them out of the ground later. | so you could easily take them out of the ground later. |
843 | 00:39:11,167 | 00:39:14,076 | Also, if you wanted to get these coins out of the ground, | Also, if you wanted to get these coins out of the ground, |
844 | 00:39:14,100 | 00:39:16,776 | you'd have to dig down to the pot, smash the pot, | you'd have to dig down to the pot, smash the pot, |
845 | 00:39:16,800 | 00:39:18,043 | and then shovel them out, | and then shovel them out, |
846 | 00:39:18,067 | 00:39:20,743 | which also would be a very lengthy process. | which also would be a very lengthy process. |
847 | 00:39:20,767 | 00:39:24,043 | So I believe that it was never intended for recovery. | So I believe that it was never intended for recovery. |
848 | 00:39:24,067 | 00:39:26,909 | And you're seeing echoes here of a more ancient tradition, | And you're seeing echoes here of a more ancient tradition, |
849 | 00:39:26,933 | 00:39:28,276 | pre Roman? | pre Roman? |
850 | 00:39:28,300 | 00:39:30,709 | I think so, yes. Absolutely. The same people. | I think so, yes. Absolutely. The same people. |
851 | 00:39:30,733 | 00:39:32,543 | We know from other studies | We know from other studies |
852 | 00:39:32,567 | 00:39:34,176 | that the people of the West Country | that the people of the West Country |
853 | 00:39:34,200 | 00:39:35,743 | were the same people as they were | were the same people as they were |
854 | 00:39:35,767 | 00:39:37,209 | in the Bronze and Iron Ages, | in the Bronze and Iron Ages, |
855 | 00:39:37,233 | 00:39:40,303 | so why not continue the same practices? | so why not continue the same practices? |
856 | 00:39:50,467 | 00:39:53,243 | I am naturally quite a skeptical person, | I am naturally quite a skeptical person, |
857 | 00:39:53,267 | 00:39:57,576 | and I tend to look for the most obvious explanation for things, | and I tend to look for the most obvious explanation for things, |
858 | 00:39:57,600 | 00:40:00,776 | but it really does seem from talking to the experts | but it really does seem from talking to the experts |
859 | 00:40:00,800 | 00:40:02,876 | that whoever it was that buried | that whoever it was that buried |
860 | 00:40:02,900 | 00:40:04,976 | that pot full of coins in the ground | that pot full of coins in the ground |
861 | 00:40:05,000 | 00:40:08,076 | wasn't intending to come back to it, | wasn't intending to come back to it, |
862 | 00:40:08,100 | 00:40:10,143 | in which case perhaps this is an echo | in which case perhaps this is an echo |
863 | 00:40:10,167 | 00:40:13,343 | of an ancient tradition that we're seeing. | of an ancient tradition that we're seeing. |
864 | 00:40:13,367 | 00:40:16,443 | Maybe those coins are a votive offering, | Maybe those coins are a votive offering, |
865 | 00:40:16,467 | 00:40:19,997 | and perhaps this was a sacred field. | and perhaps this was a sacred field. |
866 | 00:40:29,233 | 00:40:32,709 | Not all archaeological recoveries happen as fast | Not all archaeological recoveries happen as fast |
867 | 00:40:32,733 | 00:40:34,809 | as the Roman coin hoard. | as the Roman coin hoard. |
868 | 00:40:34,833 | 00:40:38,109 | There's one project involving a catastrophic fire | There's one project involving a catastrophic fire |
869 | 00:40:38,133 | 00:40:42,303 | and a Roman shipwreck which has lasted for over 30 years. | and a Roman shipwreck which has lasted for over 30 years. |
870 | 00:40:46,233 | 00:40:49,776 | St. Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands. | St. Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands. |
871 | 00:40:49,800 | 00:40:52,600 | Jason Monaghan is museums director here. | Jason Monaghan is museums director here. |
872 | 00:40:55,567 | 00:40:58,276 | As a young student in the 1980s | As a young student in the 1980s |
873 | 00:40:58,300 | 00:41:00,576 | along with diver, Richard Keen, | along with diver, Richard Keen, |
874 | 00:41:00,600 | 00:41:03,209 | he was involved in the biggest archaeology project | he was involved in the biggest archaeology project |
875 | 00:41:03,233 | 00:41:04,673 | the island had ever seen. | the island had ever seen. |
876 | 00:41:08,067 | 00:41:09,943 | In the course of my diving in the harbor | In the course of my diving in the harbor |
877 | 00:41:09,967 | 00:41:13,576 | and the pierheads, picking up pottery and scallops | and the pierheads, picking up pottery and scallops |
878 | 00:41:13,600 | 00:41:17,630 | and whatever else I could find, I came across a wooden wreck. | and whatever else I could find, I came across a wooden wreck. |
879 | 00:41:19,700 | 00:41:21,809 | Richard thought it was an old barge | Richard thought it was an old barge |
880 | 00:41:21,833 | 00:41:24,076 | used to build the harbor wall. | used to build the harbor wall. |
881 | 00:41:24,100 | 00:41:26,476 | But it would be another year before he realized | But it would be another year before he realized |
882 | 00:41:26,500 | 00:41:30,076 | the significance of what he had found. | the significance of what he had found. |
883 | 00:41:30,100 | 00:41:32,143 | There was the wreck, more exposed, | There was the wreck, more exposed, |
884 | 00:41:32,167 | 00:41:34,297 | and great big chunks of Roman tile. | and great big chunks of Roman tile. |
885 | 00:41:35,367 | 00:41:38,743 | You know, you can't mistake Roman tile. | You know, you can't mistake Roman tile. |
886 | 00:41:38,767 | 00:41:40,776 | I thought, "Oh, crumbs." | I thought, "Oh, crumbs." |
887 | 00:41:40,800 | 00:41:43,100 | "This is going to be really interesting." | "This is going to be really interesting." |
888 | 00:41:44,400 | 00:41:47,776 | Richard had found the remains of a Roman ship | Richard had found the remains of a Roman ship |
889 | 00:41:47,800 | 00:41:52,709 | uniquely preserved on the seabed for over 1,600 years. | uniquely preserved on the seabed for over 1,600 years. |
890 | 00:41:52,733 | 00:41:55,209 | But how did it come to be here? | But how did it come to be here? |
891 | 00:41:55,233 | 00:41:57,843 | St. Peter Port would have had a wide, sandy harbor, | St. Peter Port would have had a wide, sandy harbor, |
892 | 00:41:57,867 | 00:42:00,809 | and this ship would have been somewhere in the entrance... | and this ship would have been somewhere in the entrance... |
893 | 00:42:00,833 | 00:42:04,176 | possibly anchored, possibly moored. | possibly anchored, possibly moored. |
894 | 00:42:04,200 | 00:42:07,230 | It caught fire for whatever reason. We don't know. | It caught fire for whatever reason. We don't know. |
895 | 00:42:08,433 | 00:42:12,043 | The fire raged for some time, then the water came on board, | The fire raged for some time, then the water came on board, |
896 | 00:42:12,067 | 00:42:14,297 | quenched the fire and the ship sank. | quenched the fire and the ship sank. |
897 | 00:42:17,733 | 00:42:20,309 | What the maritime archaeologists had found | What the maritime archaeologists had found |
898 | 00:42:20,333 | 00:42:23,776 | were the remains of a Gallo-Roman trading vessel | were the remains of a Gallo-Roman trading vessel |
899 | 00:42:23,800 | 00:42:27,576 | which transported cargoes from as far south as Spain, | which transported cargoes from as far south as Spain, |
900 | 00:42:27,600 | 00:42:29,209 | through the English Channel, | through the English Channel, |
901 | 00:42:29,233 | 00:42:32,843 | and possibly even up into the North Sea. | and possibly even up into the North Sea. |
902 | 00:42:32,867 | 00:42:36,843 | The ship was carrying blocks of pitch, a natural resin, | The ship was carrying blocks of pitch, a natural resin, |
903 | 00:42:36,867 | 00:42:41,076 | which would accidentally preserve the wreck. | which would accidentally preserve the wreck. |
904 | 00:42:41,100 | 00:42:43,509 | We believe the fire raged in the back of the ship. | We believe the fire raged in the back of the ship. |
905 | 00:42:43,533 | 00:42:45,376 | The back of the ship is the best preserved | The back of the ship is the best preserved |
906 | 00:42:45,400 | 00:42:48,476 | because the cargo of pitch the ship was carrying | because the cargo of pitch the ship was carrying |
907 | 00:42:48,500 | 00:42:50,376 | melted during the fire. | melted during the fire. |
908 | 00:42:50,400 | 00:42:54,043 | This spread out to cover an area of about eight square meters. | This spread out to cover an area of about eight square meters. |
909 | 00:42:54,067 | 00:42:56,943 | So when the ship sank, this quenched into a solid mass | So when the ship sank, this quenched into a solid mass |
910 | 00:42:56,967 | 00:42:59,867 | and effectively held the back end of the ship down. | and effectively held the back end of the ship down. |
911 | 00:43:01,667 | 00:43:04,476 | The Roman timbers have now crossed the Channel | The Roman timbers have now crossed the Channel |
912 | 00:43:04,500 | 00:43:06,843 | to Portsmouth and the Mary Rose Trust | to Portsmouth and the Mary Rose Trust |
913 | 00:43:06,867 | 00:43:08,476 | where for the past decade | where for the past decade |
914 | 00:43:08,500 | 00:43:11,343 | they have been treated and dried. | they have been treated and dried. |
915 | 00:43:11,367 | 00:43:13,309 | The timbers have been more exposed, presumably. | The timbers have been more exposed, presumably. |
916 | 00:43:13,333 | 00:43:16,376 | Yeah, they were sticking out of the seabed at this end here. | Yeah, they were sticking out of the seabed at this end here. |
917 | 00:43:16,400 | 00:43:19,609 | For Jason, too, it's been a long journey. | For Jason, too, it's been a long journey. |
918 | 00:43:19,633 | 00:43:22,076 | This was my first job after leaving university, | This was my first job after leaving university, |
919 | 00:43:22,100 | 00:43:24,943 | so it's actually very strange after two and a half decades | so it's actually very strange after two and a half decades |
920 | 00:43:24,967 | 00:43:27,843 | to be coming back and seeing the timbers in the final state | to be coming back and seeing the timbers in the final state |
921 | 00:43:27,867 | 00:43:30,743 | that we talked about very excitedly all those years ago. | that we talked about very excitedly all those years ago. |
922 | 00:43:30,767 | 00:43:34,576 | Conservation process has worked beautifully there. | Conservation process has worked beautifully there. |
923 | 00:43:34,600 | 00:43:38,376 | But there's one final problem to overcome. | But there's one final problem to overcome. |
924 | 00:43:38,400 | 00:43:42,309 | The timbers are wrapped, boxed, and ready to go home, | The timbers are wrapped, boxed, and ready to go home, |
925 | 00:43:42,333 | 00:43:44,909 | but there's nowhere big enough on Guernsey at present | but there's nowhere big enough on Guernsey at present |
926 | 00:43:44,933 | 00:43:47,843 | to house the reconstructed ship. | to house the reconstructed ship. |
927 | 00:43:47,867 | 00:43:51,209 | This is a very important ship for Guernsey. | This is a very important ship for Guernsey. |
928 | 00:43:51,233 | 00:43:54,543 | Roman archaeologists talk a lot about "trade" in inverted commas | Roman archaeologists talk a lot about "trade" in inverted commas |
929 | 00:43:54,567 | 00:43:57,376 | but actually we have very little evidence | but actually we have very little evidence |
930 | 00:43:57,400 | 00:44:00,509 | apart from inferring that this pottery went from here to there. | apart from inferring that this pottery went from here to there. |
931 | 00:44:00,533 | 00:44:03,309 | So here we have a very solid example | So here we have a very solid example |
932 | 00:44:03,333 | 00:44:05,409 | of how the trade was carried out. | of how the trade was carried out. |
933 | 00:44:05,433 | 00:44:08,243 | Ships like ours sailed from port to port, | Ships like ours sailed from port to port, |
934 | 00:44:08,267 | 00:44:10,227 | carrying stuff in their holds. | carrying stuff in their holds. |
935 | 00:44:14,600 | 00:44:17,343 | 30 years might seem like a long time | 30 years might seem like a long time |
936 | 00:44:17,367 | 00:44:19,909 | for an archaeological project. | for an archaeological project. |
937 | 00:44:19,933 | 00:44:21,676 | But back here at Vindolanda, | But back here at Vindolanda, |
938 | 00:44:21,700 | 00:44:24,309 | they've been digging for even longer. | they've been digging for even longer. |
939 | 00:44:24,333 | 00:44:27,443 | And during that time it's here where we've come closest | And during that time it's here where we've come closest |
940 | 00:44:27,467 | 00:44:31,067 | to knowing the Romans who occupied Britain. | to knowing the Romans who occupied Britain. |
941 | 00:44:32,733 | 00:44:35,309 | It is tempting to think that we know everything | It is tempting to think that we know everything |
942 | 00:44:35,333 | 00:44:37,043 | about the Romans already. | about the Romans already. |
943 | 00:44:37,067 | 00:44:40,476 | After all, they wrote things down, they left us records. | After all, they wrote things down, they left us records. |
944 | 00:44:40,500 | 00:44:43,609 | But archaeology gives us a different perspective. | But archaeology gives us a different perspective. |
945 | 00:44:43,633 | 00:44:47,576 | It helps to fill in details and paint a fuller picture, | It helps to fill in details and paint a fuller picture, |
946 | 00:44:47,600 | 00:44:50,243 | but it can also challenge our preconceptions, | but it can also challenge our preconceptions, |
947 | 00:44:50,267 | 00:44:53,243 | and that's when sites like this get really interesting. | and that's when sites like this get really interesting. |
948 | 00:44:53,267 | 00:44:55,043 | So, Andrew, what have we got here? | So, Andrew, what have we got here? |
949 | 00:44:55,067 | 00:44:56,676 | What we've got here is the wonderful... | What we've got here is the wonderful... |
950 | 00:44:56,700 | 00:45:00,376 | Until recently it was believed that temples were never sited | Until recently it was believed that temples were never sited |
951 | 00:45:00,400 | 00:45:03,043 | inside Roman auxiliary forts. | inside Roman auxiliary forts. |
952 | 00:45:03,067 | 00:45:05,643 | That was until last year. | That was until last year. |
953 | 00:45:05,667 | 00:45:07,109 | So this is all part of the temple? | So this is all part of the temple? |
954 | 00:45:07,133 | 00:45:08,509 | This is all part of the temple. | This is all part of the temple. |
955 | 00:45:08,533 | 00:45:10,876 | It actually stretches from the gate | It actually stretches from the gate |
956 | 00:45:10,900 | 00:45:12,276 | all the way up to the angle tower. | all the way up to the angle tower. |
957 | 00:45:12,300 | 00:45:15,509 | This is all three rooms of quite an impressive building. | This is all three rooms of quite an impressive building. |
958 | 00:45:15,533 | 00:45:18,609 | What's awesome about this is that we absolutely do not | What's awesome about this is that we absolutely do not |
959 | 00:45:18,633 | 00:45:20,543 | expect to find temples to pagan gods, | expect to find temples to pagan gods, |
960 | 00:45:20,567 | 00:45:22,676 | particularly eastern cults, inside auxiliary forts. | particularly eastern cults, inside auxiliary forts. |
961 | 00:45:22,700 | 00:45:24,543 | This is the first one that's ever been found | This is the first one that's ever been found |
962 | 00:45:24,567 | 00:45:26,376 | - anywhere in the Roman Empire. - Really? | - anywhere in the Roman Empire. - Really? |
963 | 00:45:26,400 | 00:45:28,443 | We were actually looking for a toilet block under here | We were actually looking for a toilet block under here |
964 | 00:45:28,467 | 00:45:29,843 | because we've got barracks behind us. | because we've got barracks behind us. |
965 | 00:45:29,867 | 00:45:32,076 | So you're looking for latrines, and you found a temple? | So you're looking for latrines, and you found a temple? |
966 | 00:45:32,100 | 00:45:33,676 | Looking for a loo, we found a temple. | Looking for a loo, we found a temple. |
967 | 00:45:33,700 | 00:45:35,676 | There is some sort of poetry in that, I'm sure. | There is some sort of poetry in that, I'm sure. |
968 | 00:45:35,700 | 00:45:37,176 | These little pillars here, | These little pillars here, |
969 | 00:45:37,200 | 00:45:38,276 | are they supporting a floor? | are they supporting a floor? |
970 | 00:45:38,300 | 00:45:39,309 | Is this a hypocaust system? | Is this a hypocaust system? |
971 | 00:45:39,333 | 00:45:40,543 | That's right. Exactly right. | That's right. Exactly right. |
972 | 00:45:40,567 | 00:45:41,876 | - A hypocaust system. - To warm the floor. | - A hypocaust system. - To warm the floor. |
973 | 00:45:41,900 | 00:45:44,443 | You can still see the burning on some of the stones. | You can still see the burning on some of the stones. |
974 | 00:45:44,467 | 00:45:46,043 | To show that they had to fire it up | To show that they had to fire it up |
975 | 00:45:46,067 | 00:45:47,743 | in the wintertime at least, to keep them warm. | in the wintertime at least, to keep them warm. |
976 | 00:45:47,767 | 00:45:49,276 | Where would the fire itself have been? | Where would the fire itself have been? |
977 | 00:45:49,300 | 00:45:50,943 | Little furnace is in this room behind. | Little furnace is in this room behind. |
978 | 00:45:50,967 | 00:45:52,609 | And then the hot air comes through there. | And then the hot air comes through there. |
979 | 00:45:52,633 | 00:45:53,609 | Comes through the flue. | Comes through the flue. |
980 | 00:45:53,633 | 00:45:56,676 | Then circulates around here. | Then circulates around here. |
981 | 00:45:56,700 | 00:45:59,609 | And they even know the identity of the god | And they even know the identity of the god |
982 | 00:45:59,633 | 00:46:03,409 | who was being worshiped in this newly discovered temple, | who was being worshiped in this newly discovered temple, |
983 | 00:46:03,433 | 00:46:05,609 | because amongst the ruins | because amongst the ruins |
984 | 00:46:05,633 | 00:46:09,076 | they uncovered this remarkable find... | they uncovered this remarkable find... |
985 | 00:46:09,100 | 00:46:13,776 | an altar to a god from Turkey called Jupiter Dolichenus. | an altar to a god from Turkey called Jupiter Dolichenus. |
986 | 00:46:13,800 | 00:46:15,876 | Here you've got the beautiful iconography | Here you've got the beautiful iconography |
987 | 00:46:15,900 | 00:46:19,709 | of Jupiter Dolichenus riding his bull on this side. | of Jupiter Dolichenus riding his bull on this side. |
988 | 00:46:19,733 | 00:46:21,709 | He's got his thunderbolts clutched in his hand. | He's got his thunderbolts clutched in his hand. |
989 | 00:46:21,733 | 00:46:23,943 | - And an ax. - And the ax in the other hand. | - And an ax. - And the ax in the other hand. |
990 | 00:46:23,967 | 00:46:26,609 | So is this altar set up by a military man? | So is this altar set up by a military man? |
991 | 00:46:26,633 | 00:46:29,309 | This altar is set up by the big chief himself, | This altar is set up by the big chief himself, |
992 | 00:46:29,333 | 00:46:30,476 | the commanding officer of the fort. | the commanding officer of the fort. |
993 | 00:46:30,500 | 00:46:32,376 | And if we just read the front of it here | And if we just read the front of it here |
994 | 00:46:32,400 | 00:46:36,343 | we can see "I.O.M." for Jupiter Optimus Maximus. | we can see "I.O.M." for Jupiter Optimus Maximus. |
995 | 00:46:36,367 | 00:46:38,143 | Ah, Jupiter, the biggest and the best. | Ah, Jupiter, the biggest and the best. |
996 | 00:46:38,167 | 00:46:40,576 | I mean, everybody's got to be a little bit beneath Jupiter. | I mean, everybody's got to be a little bit beneath Jupiter. |
997 | 00:46:40,600 | 00:46:42,809 | And then underneath him, you've got the actual name | And then underneath him, you've got the actual name |
998 | 00:46:42,833 | 00:46:44,643 | of the god himself, and it's Dolocheno... | of the god himself, and it's Dolocheno... |
999 | 00:46:44,667 | 00:46:48,909 | D-O-L-O-C-H-E-N-O. | D-O-L-O-C-H-E-N-O. |
1000 | 00:46:48,933 | 00:46:51,209 | Very, very clear on that line there. | Very, very clear on that line there. |
1001 | 00:46:51,233 | 00:46:53,676 | And underneath that you've got the dedicator. | And underneath that you've got the dedicator. |
1002 | 00:46:53,700 | 00:46:56,876 | Sulpicius... Pudens, his second name. | Sulpicius... Pudens, his second name. |
1003 | 00:46:56,900 | 00:46:58,676 | And the very, very bottom line, | And the very, very bottom line, |
1004 | 00:46:58,700 | 00:47:01,876 | very common on most inscriptions... V.S.L.M. | very common on most inscriptions... V.S.L.M. |
1005 | 00:47:01,900 | 00:47:03,243 | And that really just means | And that really just means |
1006 | 00:47:03,267 | 00:47:06,043 | the guy willingly deserved, he fulfilled his vow, | the guy willingly deserved, he fulfilled his vow, |
1007 | 00:47:06,067 | 00:47:09,109 | and what you're looking at here is the end of a contract. | and what you're looking at here is the end of a contract. |
1008 | 00:47:09,133 | 00:47:10,309 | It's a contract between... | It's a contract between... |
1009 | 00:47:10,333 | 00:47:13,643 | personal contract between Sulpicius Pudens | personal contract between Sulpicius Pudens |
1010 | 00:47:13,667 | 00:47:15,409 | and the god Jupiter Dolichenus. | and the god Jupiter Dolichenus. |
1011 | 00:47:15,433 | 00:47:18,309 | So he's promised to erect an altar to this god somewhere, | So he's promised to erect an altar to this god somewhere, |
1012 | 00:47:18,333 | 00:47:19,576 | and he's now fulfilled his promise. | and he's now fulfilled his promise. |
1013 | 00:47:19,600 | 00:47:20,809 | Yeah, exactly. | Yeah, exactly. |
1014 | 00:47:20,833 | 00:47:22,476 | The sides are so beautifully preserved | The sides are so beautifully preserved |
1015 | 00:47:22,500 | 00:47:24,543 | with the relief carving and the writing, | with the relief carving and the writing, |
1016 | 00:47:24,567 | 00:47:25,776 | but obviously the top's been exposed. | but obviously the top's been exposed. |
1017 | 00:47:25,800 | 00:47:27,643 | This is all very weathered, isn't it? | This is all very weathered, isn't it? |
1018 | 00:47:27,667 | 00:47:29,043 | It's really well-worn, | It's really well-worn, |
1019 | 00:47:29,067 | 00:47:31,043 | but also it's been very, very badly damaged as well | but also it's been very, very badly damaged as well |
1020 | 00:47:31,067 | 00:47:34,176 | by people coming in when they were demolishing the temple. | by people coming in when they were demolishing the temple. |
1021 | 00:47:34,200 | 00:47:36,509 | And the demolition of the temple happened sometime, we think, | And the demolition of the temple happened sometime, we think, |
1022 | 00:47:36,533 | 00:47:37,909 | in the 350s or 370s. | in the 350s or 370s. |
1023 | 00:47:37,933 | 00:47:39,709 | And you've got this sort of power struggle. | And you've got this sort of power struggle. |
1024 | 00:47:39,733 | 00:47:41,709 | With Christianity becoming the official religion, | With Christianity becoming the official religion, |
1025 | 00:47:41,733 | 00:47:44,143 | a lot of ancient pagan cults and shrines | a lot of ancient pagan cults and shrines |
1026 | 00:47:44,167 | 00:47:45,543 | end up going by the wayside. | end up going by the wayside. |
1027 | 00:47:45,567 | 00:47:47,543 | Poor old Jupiter Dolichenus here | Poor old Jupiter Dolichenus here |
1028 | 00:47:47,567 | 00:47:50,543 | eventually fell victim to such a new movement | eventually fell victim to such a new movement |
1029 | 00:47:50,567 | 00:47:52,267 | of the northern frontier of Roman Britain. | of the northern frontier of Roman Britain. |
1030 | 00:47:56,233 | 00:47:59,343 | Christianity had arrived at Vindolanda. | Christianity had arrived at Vindolanda. |
1031 | 00:47:59,367 | 00:48:03,309 | But just 50 years later, in 410 A.D., | But just 50 years later, in 410 A.D., |
1032 | 00:48:03,333 | 00:48:05,776 | the Roman army departed Britain, | the Roman army departed Britain, |
1033 | 00:48:05,800 | 00:48:07,343 | this time for good. | this time for good. |
1034 | 00:48:07,367 | 00:48:11,443 | Vindolanda too would slowly be abandoned | Vindolanda too would slowly be abandoned |
1035 | 00:48:11,467 | 00:48:13,576 | and would fall into ruin. | and would fall into ruin. |
1036 | 00:48:13,600 | 00:48:17,743 | It's the remoteness of this part of Northumberland | It's the remoteness of this part of Northumberland |
1037 | 00:48:17,767 | 00:48:21,176 | which has allowed Vindolanda and its archaeology to survive | which has allowed Vindolanda and its archaeology to survive |
1038 | 00:48:21,200 | 00:48:26,070 | as a legacy to the Roman occupation of Britain. | as a legacy to the Roman occupation of Britain. |
1039 | 00:48:27,400 | 00:48:29,843 | In the 400 years the Romans were here, | In the 400 years the Romans were here, |
1040 | 00:48:29,867 | 00:48:31,909 | they transformed our country, | they transformed our country, |
1041 | 00:48:31,933 | 00:48:34,609 | from its language to its landscape, | from its language to its landscape, |
1042 | 00:48:34,633 | 00:48:37,809 | leaving a lasting legacy that remains with us today. | leaving a lasting legacy that remains with us today. |
1043 | 00:48:37,833 | 00:48:41,109 | And yet, 1,600 years later, | And yet, 1,600 years later, |
1044 | 00:48:41,133 | 00:48:45,509 | we're still discovering new things about their society. | we're still discovering new things about their society. |
1045 | 00:48:45,533 | 00:48:49,209 | From that terrible infanticide on the banks of the Thames | From that terrible infanticide on the banks of the Thames |
1046 | 00:48:49,233 | 00:48:51,143 | to that massive coin hoard | to that massive coin hoard |
1047 | 00:48:51,167 | 00:48:54,243 | found just earlier this year in the South West, | found just earlier this year in the South West, |
1048 | 00:48:54,267 | 00:48:56,909 | there's so much more to understand | there's so much more to understand |
1049 | 00:48:56,933 | 00:48:58,776 | about the Romans in Britain. | about the Romans in Britain. |
1050 | 00:48:58,800 | 00:49:01,730 | And so the digging continues. | And so the digging continues. |