# Start End Original Translated
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.