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1 00:00:19,333 00:00:21,609 We might be a small island, We might be a small island,
2 00:00:21,633 00:00:24,243 but we've got a big history. but we've got a big history.
3 00:00:24,267 00:00:25,443 Everywhere you stand, Everywhere you stand,
4 00:00:25,467 00:00:28,009 there are worlds beneath your feet. there are worlds beneath your feet.
5 00:00:28,033 00:00:29,443 And so every year, And so every year,
6 00:00:29,467 00:00:32,176 hundreds of archaeologists across Britain hundreds of archaeologists across Britain
7 00:00:32,200 00:00:34,209 go looking for more clues. go looking for more clues.
8 00:00:34,233 00:00:37,509 Who lived here, when, and how? Who lived here, when, and how?
9 00:00:37,533 00:00:39,843 You can even see the architecture of the bone You can even see the architecture of the bone
10 00:00:39,867 00:00:41,709 - inside the jaw there. - Yes. - inside the jaw there. - Yes.
11 00:00:41,733 00:00:45,276 Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle
12 00:00:45,300 00:00:49,176 drawing together everything from skeletons to swords, drawing together everything from skeletons to swords,
13 00:00:49,200 00:00:52,043 temples to treasure. temples to treasure.
14 00:00:52,067 00:00:53,727 And it's still sharp. And it's still sharp.
15 00:00:55,467 00:00:59,843 From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest
16 00:00:59,867 00:01:03,043 on sea, land, and air. on sea, land, and air.
17 00:01:03,067 00:01:05,376 We'll share all of the questions We'll share all of the questions
18 00:01:05,400 00:01:07,509 and find some of the answers and find some of the answers
19 00:01:07,533 00:01:10,409 as we join the teams in the field as we join the teams in the field
20 00:01:10,433 00:01:12,733 digging for Britain. digging for Britain.
21 00:01:16,767 00:01:18,709 The further back in time we go, The further back in time we go,
22 00:01:18,733 00:01:22,676 the more rare those glimpses of our ancestors become. the more rare those glimpses of our ancestors become.
23 00:01:22,700 00:01:26,076 Tonight we're going into deep prehistory, Tonight we're going into deep prehistory,
24 00:01:26,100 00:01:30,276 and this is where archaeology really comes into its own. and this is where archaeology really comes into its own.
25 00:01:30,300 00:01:33,509 With no written records, those pieces of evidence With no written records, those pieces of evidence
26 00:01:33,533 00:01:37,576 that we pull out of the ground are the only clues we have that we pull out of the ground are the only clues we have
27 00:01:37,600 00:01:41,970 to the mysterious world of prehistoric Britain. to the mysterious world of prehistoric Britain.
28 00:01:46,567 00:01:50,143 I'm on a journey through a million years of history I'm on a journey through a million years of history
29 00:01:50,167 00:01:54,109 that will take me from Orkney to the south coast. that will take me from Orkney to the south coast.
30 00:01:54,133 00:01:57,743 I'll be discovering art made by ice age Britons... I'll be discovering art made by ice age Britons...
31 00:01:57,767 00:01:59,843 Is this a leg down here? Is it coming down to a leg? Is this a leg down here? Is it coming down to a leg?
32 00:01:59,867 00:02:01,727 Yeah, that's right. The are legs here. Yeah, that's right. The are legs here.
33 00:02:03,367 00:02:06,609 ...and seeing how farming first developed here. ...and seeing how farming first developed here.
34 00:02:06,633 00:02:08,076 See some more teeth sticking up here. See some more teeth sticking up here.
35 00:02:08,100 00:02:09,100 Yeah. Yeah.
36 00:02:10,367 00:02:13,643 I'll be finding out how the sea holds clues I'll be finding out how the sea holds clues
37 00:02:13,667 00:02:17,109 to the birth of trade. to the birth of trade.
38 00:02:17,133 00:02:20,209 And as we travel through time, And as we travel through time,
39 00:02:20,233 00:02:24,676 we'll see how a culture emerged that still resonates today. we'll see how a culture emerged that still resonates today.
40 00:02:24,700 00:02:27,070 So, when was she found? So, when was she found?
41 00:02:29,433 00:02:33,509 Our journey begins before Britain was even an island, Our journey begins before Britain was even an island,
42 00:02:33,533 00:02:36,576 when a broad river flowed through East Anglia. when a broad river flowed through East Anglia.
43 00:02:36,600 00:02:38,609 And this is where archaeologists And this is where archaeologists
44 00:02:38,633 00:02:40,176 are trying to find out are trying to find out
45 00:02:40,200 00:02:43,943 when the first people arrived in Britain. when the first people arrived in Britain.
46 00:02:43,967 00:02:45,876 For over 200 years, For over 200 years,
47 00:02:45,900 00:02:48,176 archaeologists have searched these lands archaeologists have searched these lands
48 00:02:48,200 00:02:51,043 for signs that early human species for signs that early human species
49 00:02:51,067 00:02:52,809 may once have lived here. may once have lived here.
50 00:02:52,833 00:02:54,209 But the first humans But the first humans
51 00:02:54,233 00:02:56,876 to have emerged from Africa were tropical. to have emerged from Africa were tropical.
52 00:02:56,900 00:02:59,676 They just weren't adapted to cold climates, They just weren't adapted to cold climates,
53 00:02:59,700 00:03:03,400 and they could not have survived in northern Europe. and they could not have survived in northern Europe.
54 00:03:06,200 00:03:08,409 Now, on this beach in Norfolk, Now, on this beach in Norfolk,
55 00:03:08,433 00:03:11,143 archaeologists are finding remarkable evidence archaeologists are finding remarkable evidence
56 00:03:11,167 00:03:13,676 that may challenge this belief. that may challenge this belief.
57 00:03:13,700 00:03:15,909 I've been following this project for years, I've been following this project for years,
58 00:03:15,933 00:03:17,243 and the archaeologists are about and the archaeologists are about
59 00:03:17,267 00:03:18,576 three weeks into this year's dig, three weeks into this year's dig,
60 00:03:18,600 00:03:21,243 so I've been really excited about coming here so I've been really excited about coming here
61 00:03:21,267 00:03:23,797 to find out how they've been getting on. to find out how they've been getting on.
62 00:03:25,800 00:03:27,443 The team are part The team are part
63 00:03:27,467 00:03:29,776 of an internationally renowned project of an internationally renowned project
64 00:03:29,800 00:03:33,076 searching for clues that will help them date this site. searching for clues that will help them date this site.
65 00:03:33,100 00:03:35,309 So, Nick, you're a few weeks in. So, Nick, you're a few weeks in.
66 00:03:35,333 00:03:37,376 Nick Ashton of the British Museum Nick Ashton of the British Museum
67 00:03:37,400 00:03:39,643 is leading the excavation. is leading the excavation.
68 00:03:39,667 00:03:41,343 And what sort of evidence are you finding And what sort of evidence are you finding
69 00:03:41,367 00:03:43,643 in these ancient river sediments? in these ancient river sediments?
70 00:03:43,667 00:03:45,909 We're getting pollen from these fine-grained sediments. We're getting pollen from these fine-grained sediments.
71 00:03:45,933 00:03:47,176 We're getting wood. We're getting wood.
72 00:03:47,200 00:03:49,443 We're getting other plant remains, little seeds. We're getting other plant remains, little seeds.
73 00:03:49,467 00:03:51,309 Ah, we're also getting beetles, Ah, we're also getting beetles,
74 00:03:51,333 00:03:53,276 and they're very good for reconstructing climate. and they're very good for reconstructing climate.
75 00:03:53,300 00:03:56,509 And on top of that, we're getting animal remains, And on top of that, we're getting animal remains,
76 00:03:56,533 00:03:58,343 animal bones and teeth, animal bones and teeth,
77 00:03:58,367 00:04:01,676 and they really help with the dating of the site. and they really help with the dating of the site.
78 00:04:01,700 00:04:03,309 To retrieve that evidence, To retrieve that evidence,
79 00:04:03,333 00:04:07,409 every bucketload excavated must be painstakingly examined. every bucketload excavated must be painstakingly examined.
80 00:04:07,433 00:04:10,643 So it's all happening down here. So it's all happening down here.
81 00:04:10,667 00:04:13,043 Ah. What have you got for us, Sophie? Ah. What have you got for us, Sophie?
82 00:04:13,067 00:04:14,443 Nothing at the moment? Nothing at the moment?
83 00:04:14,467 00:04:15,809 -Not much. -Not much.
84 00:04:15,833 00:04:19,043 Do you want the sieve there? Do you want the sieve there?
85 00:04:19,067 00:04:21,376 Oh, wow. Some pebbles. Oh, wow. Some pebbles.
86 00:04:21,400 00:04:22,843 Some pebbles at the moment. Some pebbles at the moment.
87 00:04:22,867 00:04:25,209 So each sieveload is checked and sorted. So each sieveload is checked and sorted.
88 00:04:25,233 00:04:27,776 And there doesn't appear to be anything in that. And there doesn't appear to be anything in that.
89 00:04:27,800 00:04:29,643 Over a five-year period, Over a five-year period,
90 00:04:29,667 00:04:32,876 they've sifted through 70 tons of sediment. they've sifted through 70 tons of sediment.
91 00:04:32,900 00:04:35,909 But sometimes it's the most unlikely finds But sometimes it's the most unlikely finds
92 00:04:35,933 00:04:38,776 that provide vital clues. that provide vital clues.
93 00:04:38,800 00:04:41,243 - Oh, no... pine cones. - Ah. - Oh, no... pine cones. - Ah.
94 00:04:41,267 00:04:42,576 Oh, right. Oh, right.
95 00:04:42,600 00:04:44,576 And there is quite a weathered And there is quite a weathered
96 00:04:44,600 00:04:47,070 but surviving pine cone. but surviving pine cone.
97 00:04:48,267 00:04:50,076 - Really? - A part of one, yeah. - Really? - A part of one, yeah.
98 00:04:50,100 00:04:51,376 You could look at the structure of that You could look at the structure of that
99 00:04:51,400 00:04:53,530 and confirm the exact species. and confirm the exact species.
100 00:04:55,200 00:04:57,643 When you're looking this far back in time, When you're looking this far back in time,
101 00:04:57,667 00:05:02,943 even a single find like this pine cone core is crucial. even a single find like this pine cone core is crucial.
102 00:05:02,967 00:05:05,076 Find by find, the archaeologists Find by find, the archaeologists
103 00:05:05,100 00:05:08,509 can reconstruct this mysterious lost world... can reconstruct this mysterious lost world...
104 00:05:08,533 00:05:10,543 a pine forest that was inhabited a pine forest that was inhabited
105 00:05:10,567 00:05:13,567 by creatures no longer seen in Britain. by creatures no longer seen in Britain.
106 00:05:14,567 00:05:17,443 Simon Parfitt from the Natural History Museum Simon Parfitt from the Natural History Museum
107 00:05:17,467 00:05:21,476 is an expert on prehistoric mammals. is an expert on prehistoric mammals.
108 00:05:21,500 00:05:23,043 And what's that in that box down there? And what's that in that box down there?
109 00:05:23,067 00:05:25,809 - Okay, this thing. - It looks like a stone. - Okay, this thing. - It looks like a stone.
110 00:05:25,833 00:05:28,609 It looks like a stone. It looks like a stone.
111 00:05:28,633 00:05:30,743 Believe it or not, it's a hyena dropping. Believe it or not, it's a hyena dropping.
112 00:05:30,767 00:05:32,509 This is fossilized hyena poo. This is fossilized hyena poo.
113 00:05:32,533 00:05:34,276 So we know there were hyena here as well. So we know there were hyena here as well.
114 00:05:34,300 00:05:38,276 There were hyenas, so you've got large carnivores. There were hyenas, so you've got large carnivores.
115 00:05:38,300 00:05:41,176 We've got this fantastic rodent jaw... We've got this fantastic rodent jaw...
116 00:05:41,200 00:05:43,043 - That's beautiful. - ...with some of the teeth - That's beautiful. - ...with some of the teeth
117 00:05:43,067 00:05:45,643 And this is an extinct beaverlike rodent, And this is an extinct beaverlike rodent,
118 00:05:45,667 00:05:49,143 and it was semiaquatic, living along the banks of the river. and it was semiaquatic, living along the banks of the river.
119 00:05:49,167 00:05:51,843 It's such a beautifully preserved fossil It's such a beautifully preserved fossil
120 00:05:51,867 00:05:55,443 I mean, you can even see the architecture of the bone I mean, you can even see the architecture of the bone
121 00:05:55,467 00:05:56,676 inside the jaw there. inside the jaw there.
122 00:05:56,700 00:05:58,670 Yes, yeah. It's a wonderful thing. Yes, yeah. It's a wonderful thing.
123 00:06:00,333 00:06:04,476 It's because we know when each of these species became extinct It's because we know when each of these species became extinct
124 00:06:04,500 00:06:08,776 that these fossils are helping us to date the site. that these fossils are helping us to date the site.
125 00:06:08,800 00:06:11,476 This is a tooth of a mammoth. This is a tooth of a mammoth.
126 00:06:11,500 00:06:14,243 And this is in fact one of the earliest forms of mammoth And this is in fact one of the earliest forms of mammoth
127 00:06:14,267 00:06:16,209 that we find in this part of the world. that we find in this part of the world.
128 00:06:16,233 00:06:19,176 This helps us with the date because this is quite primitive. This helps us with the date because this is quite primitive.
129 00:06:19,200 00:06:20,776 So we have a fantastic record. So we have a fantastic record.
130 00:06:20,800 00:06:22,409 And you can tell that from the teeth? And you can tell that from the teeth?
131 00:06:22,433 00:06:24,409 That's right, yeah. It has very distinctive teeth. That's right, yeah. It has very distinctive teeth.
132 00:06:24,433 00:06:26,043 You can see this is the chewing surface, You can see this is the chewing surface,
133 00:06:26,067 00:06:29,776 and you have a series of plates, and they're very widely spaced. and you have a series of plates, and they're very widely spaced.
134 00:06:29,800 00:06:32,143 And this is a feature of primitive mammoths. And this is a feature of primitive mammoths.
135 00:06:32,167 00:06:35,043 Later mammoths, the plates tend to get closer together, Later mammoths, the plates tend to get closer together,
136 00:06:35,067 00:06:36,543 the enamel gets thinner. the enamel gets thinner.
137 00:06:36,567 00:06:38,943 So that's one of the features we can use to identify it. So that's one of the features we can use to identify it.
138 00:06:38,967 00:06:41,676 This tooth belonged to a type of mammoth This tooth belonged to a type of mammoth
139 00:06:41,700 00:06:45,676 that died out over 700,000 years ago, that died out over 700,000 years ago,
140 00:06:45,700 00:06:47,709 so its position in these sediments so its position in these sediments
141 00:06:47,733 00:06:51,043 gives another vital clue to the archaeologists. gives another vital clue to the archaeologists.
142 00:06:51,067 00:06:52,743 With the various types of dating, With the various types of dating,
143 00:06:52,767 00:06:55,143 we're able to say that the site dates we're able to say that the site dates
144 00:06:55,167 00:06:57,876 somewhere between 800,000 and a million years old. somewhere between 800,000 and a million years old.
145 00:06:57,900 00:07:00,243 So that's the date of those sediments So that's the date of those sediments
146 00:07:00,267 00:07:01,776 that we were looking at in the trench, that we were looking at in the trench,
147 00:07:01,800 00:07:04,443 between 800,000 and a million years old? between 800,000 and a million years old?
148 00:07:04,467 00:07:06,427 - Yeah, yeah. - Fantastic. - Yeah, yeah. - Fantastic.
149 00:07:10,667 00:07:12,809 This project really is unique. This project really is unique.
150 00:07:12,833 00:07:16,876 So many important discoveries are made by pure chance, So many important discoveries are made by pure chance,
151 00:07:16,900 00:07:18,943 especially in prehistory, especially in prehistory,
152 00:07:18,967 00:07:21,143 where something might be found in a quarry where something might be found in a quarry
153 00:07:21,167 00:07:23,409 or when a road is being built. or when a road is being built.
154 00:07:23,433 00:07:28,576 But here the archaeologists have set out to find something new But here the archaeologists have set out to find something new
155 00:07:28,600 00:07:32,509 to make an important discovery, and they've done it. to make an important discovery, and they've done it.
156 00:07:32,533 00:07:35,243 Because what's being found here Because what's being found here
157 00:07:35,267 00:07:38,127 are not just animal and plant finds. are not just animal and plant finds.
158 00:07:40,333 00:07:43,176 It's not just evidence of a vanished landscape It's not just evidence of a vanished landscape
159 00:07:43,200 00:07:46,443 from perhaps a million years ago. from perhaps a million years ago.
160 00:07:46,467 00:07:49,043 There are finds suggesting There are finds suggesting
161 00:07:49,067 00:07:52,909 humans could have lived here then too. humans could have lived here then too.
162 00:07:52,933 00:07:57,643 Actually today we recovered one of the rare artifacts Actually today we recovered one of the rare artifacts
163 00:07:57,667 00:07:59,443 that we're also getting from the site, that we're also getting from the site,
164 00:07:59,467 00:08:01,209 and this is really exciting and this is really exciting
165 00:08:01,233 00:08:05,209 because it shows that humans were living here at that time. because it shows that humans were living here at that time.
166 00:08:05,233 00:08:06,476 This has just come out today. This has just come out today.
167 00:08:06,500 00:08:07,743 This is a small flake. This is a small flake.
168 00:08:07,767 00:08:10,143 It's slightly broken, but you can see It's slightly broken, but you can see
169 00:08:10,167 00:08:13,876 all the telltale signs of human manufacture. all the telltale signs of human manufacture.
170 00:08:13,900 00:08:16,376 This tiny object is a waste flake This tiny object is a waste flake
171 00:08:16,400 00:08:19,743 left over from making flint tools. left over from making flint tools.
172 00:08:19,767 00:08:24,043 So this is evidence of humans in Britain So this is evidence of humans in Britain
173 00:08:24,067 00:08:26,043 going back possibly a million years going back possibly a million years
174 00:08:26,067 00:08:28,509 Yeah, and so it makes it, by a long way, Yeah, and so it makes it, by a long way,
175 00:08:28,533 00:08:30,209 the oldest site in northern Europe. the oldest site in northern Europe.
176 00:08:30,233 00:08:32,876 The oldest human site in northern Europe. The oldest human site in northern Europe.
177 00:08:32,900 00:08:36,276 So I'm holding in my hands a piece of evidence So I'm holding in my hands a piece of evidence
178 00:08:36,300 00:08:38,543 of the earliest humans to inhabit this island of the earliest humans to inhabit this island
179 00:08:38,567 00:08:41,597 going back nearly a million years. going back nearly a million years.
180 00:08:48,200 00:08:51,343 They have found over 70 pieces of flint They have found over 70 pieces of flint
181 00:08:51,367 00:08:54,767 which show signs of human working. which show signs of human working.
182 00:08:57,067 00:09:02,167 And amongst them are even some intact stone tools. And amongst them are even some intact stone tools.
183 00:09:03,467 00:09:06,676 This... We actually nicknamed this the "butter knife" This... We actually nicknamed this the "butter knife"
184 00:09:06,700 00:09:08,276 because it's so pretty. because it's so pretty.
185 00:09:08,300 00:09:11,076 But you can see all the evidence of human working there, But you can see all the evidence of human working there,
186 00:09:11,100 00:09:13,043 that bulb of percussion rings coming out that bulb of percussion rings coming out
187 00:09:13,067 00:09:14,809 from all that characteristic rippling. from all that characteristic rippling.
188 00:09:14,833 00:09:17,909 And actually on this piece they've modified that edge. And actually on this piece they've modified that edge.
189 00:09:17,933 00:09:20,176 It would certainly be ideal as some sort of... It would certainly be ideal as some sort of...
190 00:09:20,200 00:09:22,176 - You know, for cutting meat. - Yeah. - You know, for cutting meat. - Yeah.
191 00:09:22,200 00:09:24,209 So this is the original sort of So this is the original sort of
192 00:09:24,233 00:09:26,809 knife and fork of the old Stone Age. knife and fork of the old Stone Age.
193 00:09:26,833 00:09:27,909 And it's still sharp. And it's still sharp.
194 00:09:27,933 00:09:32,803 Mm, and after 800,000, a million years. Mm, and after 800,000, a million years.
195 00:09:33,400 00:09:35,843 No human remains have yet been found No human remains have yet been found
196 00:09:35,867 00:09:39,443 to confirm who made these tools, to confirm who made these tools,
197 00:09:39,467 00:09:42,409 but it was a truly ancient species, but it was a truly ancient species,
198 00:09:42,433 00:09:48,103 some 750,000 years older than even the Neanderthals. some 750,000 years older than even the Neanderthals.
199 00:09:50,633 00:09:53,209 So Happisburgh has pushed back So Happisburgh has pushed back
200 00:09:53,233 00:09:55,809 the earliest human occupation of Britain the earliest human occupation of Britain
201 00:09:55,833 00:09:59,743 by at least 200,000 years. by at least 200,000 years.
202 00:09:59,767 00:10:01,776 But what's really remarkable But what's really remarkable
203 00:10:01,800 00:10:04,209 is that the humans living here back then is that the humans living here back then
204 00:10:04,233 00:10:08,576 were surviving in extremely harsh conditions. were surviving in extremely harsh conditions.
205 00:10:08,600 00:10:12,643 At this time, Britain was approaching an ice age. At this time, Britain was approaching an ice age.
206 00:10:12,667 00:10:16,509 How did these early species manage to survive here? How did these early species manage to survive here?
207 00:10:16,533 00:10:20,409 Were they more advanced than we previously thought? Were they more advanced than we previously thought?
208 00:10:20,433 00:10:23,776 These are the questions now facing experts These are the questions now facing experts
209 00:10:23,800 00:10:27,043 like Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum. like Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum.
210 00:10:27,067 00:10:28,776 So, what were these capabilities? So, what were these capabilities?
211 00:10:28,800 00:10:30,643 Did these people have control of fire? Did these people have control of fire?
212 00:10:30,667 00:10:31,876 Did they have clothes? Did they have clothes?
213 00:10:31,900 00:10:33,443 Whether they had clothing, Whether they had clothing,
214 00:10:33,467 00:10:34,743 whether they had the use of fire, whether they had the use of fire,
215 00:10:34,767 00:10:35,876 we can't tell from here. we can't tell from here.
216 00:10:35,900 00:10:38,343 They must have had ways of keeping warm. They must have had ways of keeping warm.
217 00:10:38,367 00:10:39,843 Well, that's right, yes. Well, that's right, yes.
218 00:10:39,867 00:10:41,943 I mean, the environment was comparable to, say, I mean, the environment was comparable to, say,
219 00:10:41,967 00:10:44,309 southern Scandinavia at the present day. southern Scandinavia at the present day.
220 00:10:44,333 00:10:47,276 And, yes, I think, you know, stick us in the winters And, yes, I think, you know, stick us in the winters
221 00:10:47,300 00:10:49,076 in southern Scandinavia today, in southern Scandinavia today,
222 00:10:49,100 00:10:50,976 and we would have problems coping. and we would have problems coping.
223 00:10:51,000 00:10:53,009 So we'd have to imagine, probably, So we'd have to imagine, probably,
224 00:10:53,033 00:10:54,843 that there was at least basic clothing that there was at least basic clothing
225 00:10:54,867 00:10:56,709 and probably the use of fire. and probably the use of fire.
226 00:10:56,733 00:10:59,143 But the evidence has yet to be found. But the evidence has yet to be found.
227 00:10:59,167 00:11:02,743 It does make us look again at these earlier human species, It does make us look again at these earlier human species,
228 00:11:02,767 00:11:04,543 and perhaps they were more sophisticated and perhaps they were more sophisticated
229 00:11:04,567 00:11:06,243 than we've given them credit for. than we've given them credit for.
230 00:11:06,267 00:11:07,309 Yes, that's right. Yeah. Yes, that's right. Yeah.
231 00:11:07,333 00:11:09,309 Their capabilities were far greater, Their capabilities were far greater,
232 00:11:09,333 00:11:10,776 and that's really exciting. and that's really exciting.
233 00:11:10,800 00:11:13,409 So we have to make them, in some ways, So we have to make them, in some ways,
234 00:11:13,433 00:11:15,733 certainly more like us than we would have believed. certainly more like us than we would have believed.
235 00:11:17,833 00:11:20,443 We know there were people here in Britain We know there were people here in Britain
236 00:11:20,467 00:11:22,609 nearly a million years ago. nearly a million years ago.
237 00:11:22,633 00:11:27,309 They were surviving in incredibly cold conditions. They were surviving in incredibly cold conditions.
238 00:11:27,333 00:11:29,709 It gives us newfound respect, I think, It gives us newfound respect, I think,
239 00:11:29,733 00:11:32,309 for those earlier human species. for those earlier human species.
240 00:11:32,333 00:11:36,576 And at the end of the day, it's these insignificant finds And at the end of the day, it's these insignificant finds
241 00:11:36,600 00:11:39,870 that archaeological revolutions are made of. that archaeological revolutions are made of.
242 00:11:40,933 00:11:44,543 We don't know how long those people survived here, We don't know how long those people survived here,
243 00:11:44,567 00:11:48,797 but they were eventually wiped out by the vicious climate. but they were eventually wiped out by the vicious climate.
244 00:11:50,567 00:11:53,043 For hundreds of thousands of years, For hundreds of thousands of years,
245 00:11:53,067 00:11:54,543 Britain went through some of Britain went through some of
246 00:11:54,567 00:11:57,676 the most violent climate changes in world history, the most violent climate changes in world history,
247 00:11:57,700 00:12:01,143 which repeatedly forced people out. which repeatedly forced people out.
248 00:12:01,167 00:12:05,276 So these were not our ancestors. So these were not our ancestors.
249 00:12:05,300 00:12:08,543 To find them, we have to go forward To find them, we have to go forward
250 00:12:08,567 00:12:13,276 hundreds of thousands of years to the end of the last ice age hundreds of thousands of years to the end of the last ice age
251 00:12:13,300 00:12:15,743 and to a site in modern-day Nottinghamshire and to a site in modern-day Nottinghamshire
252 00:12:15,767 00:12:17,727 where they once lived. where they once lived.
253 00:12:24,467 00:12:27,443 It wasn't until around 13,000 years ago It wasn't until around 13,000 years ago
254 00:12:27,467 00:12:31,609 that Britain became recolonized by modern humans... that Britain became recolonized by modern humans...
255 00:12:31,633 00:12:33,843 homo sapiens, people like us... homo sapiens, people like us...
256 00:12:33,867 00:12:36,509 and this time they were here to stay. and this time they were here to stay.
257 00:12:36,533 00:12:41,043 And they were living in caves like these at Creswell Crags And they were living in caves like these at Creswell Crags
258 00:12:41,067 00:12:45,227 at the end of the last ice age. at the end of the last ice age.
259 00:12:46,100 00:12:48,943 We know that these people were physically identical to us, We know that these people were physically identical to us,
260 00:12:48,967 00:12:51,743 but archaeologists are relentless in their search but archaeologists are relentless in their search
261 00:12:51,767 00:12:55,576 to find out just how similar they were to us in other ways, to find out just how similar they were to us in other ways,
262 00:12:55,600 00:12:58,143 searching for those elusive things searching for those elusive things
263 00:12:58,167 00:13:00,827 which let us feel truly connected to them. which let us feel truly connected to them.
264 00:13:03,067 00:13:06,409 Cave art can speak to us like nothing else, Cave art can speak to us like nothing else,
265 00:13:06,433 00:13:11,809 a distant echo from an ancient world with no written language. a distant echo from an ancient world with no written language.
266 00:13:11,833 00:13:13,643 And since the discovery And since the discovery
267 00:13:13,667 00:13:17,809 of the famous Lascaux rock art in France in the 1940s, of the famous Lascaux rock art in France in the 1940s,
268 00:13:17,833 00:13:22,433 the hunt has been on to find similar rock art in Britain. the hunt has been on to find similar rock art in Britain.
269 00:13:23,700 00:13:27,243 Archaeologists scoured the walls of caves like these Archaeologists scoured the walls of caves like these
270 00:13:27,267 00:13:29,409 but found nothing, but found nothing,
271 00:13:29,433 00:13:31,143 and they put that down to Britain and they put that down to Britain
272 00:13:31,167 00:13:34,043 being such a challenging environment back then, being such a challenging environment back then,
273 00:13:34,067 00:13:37,043 that people were just surviving, that people were just surviving,
274 00:13:37,067 00:13:39,943 clinging on to existence with their fingernails. clinging on to existence with their fingernails.
275 00:13:39,967 00:13:44,067 They didn't have time for frivolities like rock art. They didn't have time for frivolities like rock art.
276 00:13:45,400 00:13:48,743 That belief was turned on its head by discoveries That belief was turned on its head by discoveries
277 00:13:48,767 00:13:52,867 made in this cave, where I met Ian Wall. made in this cave, where I met Ian Wall.
278 00:13:54,300 00:13:57,409 He's an archaeologist and director of Creswell Crags. He's an archaeologist and director of Creswell Crags.
279 00:13:57,433 00:13:59,403 - After you. - Thank you. - After you. - Thank you.
280 00:14:01,600 00:14:05,209 So you're now standing at the level So you're now standing at the level
281 00:14:05,233 00:14:08,543 that we think our prehistoric ancestors were that we think our prehistoric ancestors were
282 00:14:08,567 00:14:11,043 12,000, 13,000 years ago. 12,000, 13,000 years ago.
283 00:14:11,067 00:14:14,476 So it's the best place to actually view So it's the best place to actually view
284 00:14:14,500 00:14:16,376 the rock art that they were creating. the rock art that they were creating.
285 00:14:16,400 00:14:18,743 So I can see a few scratches on the walls here. So I can see a few scratches on the walls here.
286 00:14:18,767 00:14:20,909 Would you like to come and stand here, and I'll show you? Would you like to come and stand here, and I'll show you?
287 00:14:20,933 00:14:26,509 This is one of the first figures that was discovered in 2003. This is one of the first figures that was discovered in 2003.
288 00:14:26,533 00:14:30,973 But you can just pick out some fainter engraved lines here. But you can just pick out some fainter engraved lines here.
289 00:14:32,367 00:14:36,376 At first I struggled to see what Ian was seeing. At first I struggled to see what Ian was seeing.
290 00:14:36,400 00:14:39,709 Gradually an image emerged. Gradually an image emerged.
291 00:14:39,733 00:14:43,443 This is the top of a neck of an animal. This is the top of a neck of an animal.
292 00:14:43,467 00:14:45,409 Yeah, all right, you're convincing me. Yeah, all right, you're convincing me.
293 00:14:45,433 00:14:46,576 And the ear. And the ear.
294 00:14:46,600 00:14:48,143 And coming down here, And coming down here,
295 00:14:48,167 00:14:49,109 you can see a mouth. you can see a mouth.
296 00:14:49,133 00:14:50,809 - Is that the mouth there? - Yes. - Is that the mouth there? - Yes.
297 00:14:50,833 00:14:53,509 And that's the chin running underneath. Yes. And that's the chin running underneath. Yes.
298 00:14:53,533 00:14:55,343 Is this a leg down here? Is it coming down to a leg? Is this a leg down here? Is it coming down to a leg?
299 00:14:55,367 00:14:58,043 Yeah, that's right. There are legs here. Yeah, that's right. There are legs here.
300 00:14:58,067 00:15:02,327 And then the underbelly of the animal. And then the underbelly of the animal.
301 00:15:03,967 00:15:05,743 That's remarkable. That's remarkable.
302 00:15:05,767 00:15:09,576 There it was, appearing right before my eyes, There it was, appearing right before my eyes,
303 00:15:09,600 00:15:12,443 the image of a deer. the image of a deer.
304 00:15:12,467 00:15:14,043 We can imagine perhaps We can imagine perhaps
305 00:15:14,067 00:15:16,043 how important this creature would have been how important this creature would have been
306 00:15:16,067 00:15:18,109 to our ancestors. to our ancestors.
307 00:15:18,133 00:15:21,276 It was almost certainly one of the things It was almost certainly one of the things
308 00:15:21,300 00:15:23,730 that kept them alive. that kept them alive.
309 00:15:25,300 00:15:28,843 So how do you know that that is ice age? So how do you know that that is ice age?
310 00:15:28,867 00:15:32,709 Crucially you get these deposits of flowstone... Crucially you get these deposits of flowstone...
311 00:15:32,733 00:15:34,809 it's redeposited calcite... it's redeposited calcite...
312 00:15:34,833 00:15:38,876 and that forms a thin skin of deposit, and that forms a thin skin of deposit,
313 00:15:38,900 00:15:42,243 and sometimes that lies over the top of these engraved lines. and sometimes that lies over the top of these engraved lines.
314 00:15:42,267 00:15:44,176 That's this white area here? That's this white area here?
315 00:15:44,200 00:15:45,509 That's right, yes. That's right, yes.
316 00:15:45,533 00:15:48,843 And that can be dated fairly precisely And that can be dated fairly precisely
317 00:15:48,867 00:15:52,509 with a technique called uranium series dating. with a technique called uranium series dating.
318 00:15:52,533 00:15:55,176 Right, so if you can date that flowstone, Right, so if you can date that flowstone,
319 00:15:55,200 00:15:58,143 then if the engravings are underneath it, then if the engravings are underneath it,
320 00:15:58,167 00:15:59,543 they must predate it. they must predate it.
321 00:15:59,567 00:16:02,209 - That's right, yes. - So how old is that flowstone? - That's right, yes. - So how old is that flowstone?
322 00:16:02,233 00:16:06,109 So it's roughly around 13,000 years old. So it's roughly around 13,000 years old.
323 00:16:06,133 00:16:09,309 So we really are looking at ice age art? So we really are looking at ice age art?
324 00:16:09,333 00:16:12,409 Yes. That's the clincher. Yes. That's the clincher.
325 00:16:12,433 00:16:15,043 This is the oldest rock art This is the oldest rock art
326 00:16:15,067 00:16:18,327 to be found anywhere on these islands. to be found anywhere on these islands.
327 00:16:19,900 00:16:23,676 So much of archaeology is about how people live their lives So much of archaeology is about how people live their lives
328 00:16:23,700 00:16:25,176 in quite a mundane way... in quite a mundane way...
329 00:16:25,200 00:16:28,343 the tools they made, the diet they were eating, the tools they made, the diet they were eating,
330 00:16:28,367 00:16:29,343 that sort of thing. that sort of thing.
331 00:16:29,367 00:16:31,043 But here we've got art, But here we've got art,
332 00:16:31,067 00:16:32,543 which is something a little bit different, which is something a little bit different,
333 00:16:32,567 00:16:36,743 and it does give you a real connection and it does give you a real connection
334 00:16:36,767 00:16:37,876 back to those people. back to those people.
335 00:16:37,900 00:16:39,476 It's incredibly evocative. It's incredibly evocative.
336 00:16:39,500 00:16:42,043 You can imagine them in that cave You can imagine them in that cave
337 00:16:42,067 00:16:43,809 making those images on the wall. making those images on the wall.
338 00:16:43,833 00:16:46,543 And I rather like the mystery And I rather like the mystery
339 00:16:46,567 00:16:50,697 that we will never know what it really means. that we will never know what it really means.
340 00:17:09,067 00:17:11,476 I'm on my way to a dig in Orkney I'm on my way to a dig in Orkney
341 00:17:11,500 00:17:13,576 where archaeologists are finding out more where archaeologists are finding out more
342 00:17:13,600 00:17:18,209 about early farmers and their mysterious beliefs. about early farmers and their mysterious beliefs.
343 00:17:18,233 00:17:22,843 My destination is the tiny island of Westray, My destination is the tiny island of Westray,
344 00:17:22,867 00:17:25,709 home to a site called the Links of Noltland, home to a site called the Links of Noltland,
345 00:17:25,733 00:17:30,073 where one of this year's most exciting digs is happening. where one of this year's most exciting digs is happening.
346 00:17:31,367 00:17:33,243 Wow, what a way to see an archaeological site, Wow, what a way to see an archaeological site,
347 00:17:33,267 00:17:36,197 this bird's-eye view, looking straight down on it. this bird's-eye view, looking straight down on it.
348 00:17:39,433 00:17:42,773 Looks great. Can't wait to get down there. Looks great. Can't wait to get down there.
349 00:17:43,767 00:17:47,343 Many Neolithic sites are monumental and ceremonial. Many Neolithic sites are monumental and ceremonial.
350 00:17:47,367 00:17:48,909 They're really impressive, They're really impressive,
351 00:17:48,933 00:17:51,143 but it's like going to a cathedral but it's like going to a cathedral
352 00:17:51,167 00:17:54,897 to find out how everyday people live today. to find out how everyday people live today.
353 00:17:56,500 00:17:58,476 This site is different. This site is different.
354 00:17:58,500 00:18:01,143 I've come here because archaeologists are unearthing I've come here because archaeologists are unearthing
355 00:18:01,167 00:18:03,809 vital evidence of early farms. vital evidence of early farms.
356 00:18:03,833 00:18:08,176 And these are the extraordinary and rare remains And these are the extraordinary and rare remains
357 00:18:08,200 00:18:13,070 of a 5,000-year-old village where the farmers once lived. of a 5,000-year-old village where the farmers once lived.
358 00:18:15,367 00:18:19,209 Archaeologists here are uncovering a remarkable story Archaeologists here are uncovering a remarkable story
359 00:18:19,233 00:18:21,943 of a struggle to survive. of a struggle to survive.
360 00:18:21,967 00:18:23,709 Then, as now, Then, as now,
361 00:18:23,733 00:18:27,743 these islands must have felt like the edge of the world. these islands must have felt like the edge of the world.
362 00:18:27,767 00:18:32,809 I was given a tour around the site by Richard Strachan. I was given a tour around the site by Richard Strachan.
363 00:18:32,833 00:18:36,376 It's almost always windy in Orkney. It's almost always windy in Orkney.
364 00:18:36,400 00:18:38,043 The weather can be on your side sometimes. The weather can be on your side sometimes.
365 00:18:38,067 00:18:39,776 A little bit of rain on a site A little bit of rain on a site
366 00:18:39,800 00:18:41,476 is very good as well, archaeologically. is very good as well, archaeologically.
367 00:18:41,500 00:18:43,809 It keeps the soil nice and moist. It is challenging. It keeps the soil nice and moist. It is challenging.
368 00:18:43,833 00:18:45,509 Yeah, it is like you have four seasons in one day, Yeah, it is like you have four seasons in one day,
369 00:18:45,533 00:18:47,243 I can't believe it was raining this morning, I can't believe it was raining this morning,
370 00:18:47,267 00:18:48,509 and now we've got sunshine. and now we've got sunshine.
371 00:18:48,533 00:18:50,043 That's very normal here. That's very normal here.
372 00:18:50,067 00:18:51,343 Should we go over and have a look Should we go over and have a look
373 00:18:51,367 00:18:53,227 at what some of the archaeologists are finding? at what some of the archaeologists are finding?
374 00:18:54,167 00:18:55,443 The buildings are covered The buildings are covered
375 00:18:55,467 00:18:58,709 with a layer of ancient rubbish or midden. with a layer of ancient rubbish or midden.
376 00:18:58,733 00:19:01,276 And it's from this that many of the signs And it's from this that many of the signs
377 00:19:01,300 00:19:04,509 of everyday prehistoric life are appearing. of everyday prehistoric life are appearing.
378 00:19:04,533 00:19:06,876 The whole site is basically sealed by this midden material, The whole site is basically sealed by this midden material,
379 00:19:06,900 00:19:09,143 and this is containing the shell, the bone, and this is containing the shell, the bone,
380 00:19:09,167 00:19:11,076 all that sort of stuff. all that sort of stuff.
381 00:19:11,100 00:19:13,209 And you can see that we're getting pottery too within this, And you can see that we're getting pottery too within this,
382 00:19:13,233 00:19:14,676 we're getting flint. we're getting flint.
383 00:19:14,700 00:19:16,076 Is that a piece of pottery down there? Is that a piece of pottery down there?
384 00:19:16,100 00:19:18,243 Yeah, this is a fantastic piece of pottery Yeah, this is a fantastic piece of pottery
385 00:19:18,267 00:19:19,443 that Sean's just uncovered. that Sean's just uncovered.
386 00:19:19,467 00:19:22,809 You can see the wonderful decoration on it. You can see the wonderful decoration on it.
387 00:19:22,833 00:19:24,209 'Cause this archaeology 'Cause this archaeology
388 00:19:24,233 00:19:26,209 is only centimeters below the surface, isn't it? is only centimeters below the surface, isn't it?
389 00:19:26,233 00:19:27,409 Yeah, you can see, literally. Yeah, you can see, literally.
390 00:19:27,433 00:19:29,503 You look, and in places it's very, very shallow. You look, and in places it's very, very shallow.
391 00:19:31,133 00:19:33,109 Under the sand is the evidence Under the sand is the evidence
392 00:19:33,133 00:19:35,709 the archaeologists have been hoping for... the archaeologists have been hoping for...
393 00:19:35,733 00:19:38,776 proof that people here were growing barley, proof that people here were growing barley,
394 00:19:38,800 00:19:41,800 which was one of the earliest plants to be domesticated. which was one of the earliest plants to be domesticated.
395 00:19:45,233 00:19:49,073 Hazel Moore is directing excavations here. Hazel Moore is directing excavations here.
396 00:19:50,600 00:19:52,343 I want to go and talk to Hazel about something I want to go and talk to Hazel about something
397 00:19:52,367 00:19:56,043 rather interesting over this side of the site. rather interesting over this side of the site.
398 00:19:56,067 00:19:58,043 What's the evidence for the barley farming? What's the evidence for the barley farming?
399 00:19:58,067 00:20:00,043 Um, carbonized cereal grain Um, carbonized cereal grain
400 00:20:00,067 00:20:02,776 coming from these midden deposits. coming from these midden deposits.
401 00:20:02,800 00:20:04,009 They had field systems They had field systems
402 00:20:04,033 00:20:06,509 which run from the settlement down the slope, which run from the settlement down the slope,
403 00:20:06,533 00:20:09,376 and they were middening and enriching the soils there. and they were middening and enriching the soils there.
404 00:20:09,400 00:20:12,976 So presumably that was for growing their crops So presumably that was for growing their crops
405 00:20:13,000 00:20:14,370 all around the settlement. all around the settlement.
406 00:20:15,467 00:20:19,176 From the field system, evidence of composting is emerging. From the field system, evidence of composting is emerging.
407 00:20:19,200 00:20:20,809 Each layer of soil Each layer of soil
408 00:20:20,833 00:20:24,643 tells a story of a struggle to make farming work here. tells a story of a struggle to make farming work here.
409 00:20:24,667 00:20:26,143 When we actually look at the profiles, When we actually look at the profiles,
410 00:20:26,167 00:20:29,076 the soil profiles from the earliest times, the soil profiles from the earliest times,
411 00:20:29,100 00:20:31,209 what we have are cultivated soils what we have are cultivated soils
412 00:20:31,233 00:20:33,543 swamped again and again by blowing sand. swamped again and again by blowing sand.
413 00:20:33,567 00:20:35,543 So do you think this would have been So do you think this would have been
414 00:20:35,567 00:20:37,009 a challenging environment to be farming in? a challenging environment to be farming in?
415 00:20:37,033 00:20:38,843 Yes, yeah. I mean, it's challenging nowadays. Yes, yeah. I mean, it's challenging nowadays.
416 00:20:38,867 00:20:41,276 It wouldn't have been any different then. It wouldn't have been any different then.
417 00:20:41,300 00:20:44,243 Its light sandy soils are ideal for cultivation, Its light sandy soils are ideal for cultivation,
418 00:20:44,267 00:20:46,143 in that they can be worked easily and turned easily, in that they can be worked easily and turned easily,
419 00:20:46,167 00:20:48,109 but they're also very prone to erosion, but they're also very prone to erosion,
420 00:20:48,133 00:20:49,833 and it's a very windy place. and it's a very windy place.
421 00:20:58,467 00:21:01,676 The conditions here would have made it difficult to survive The conditions here would have made it difficult to survive
422 00:21:01,700 00:21:03,709 just growing crops. just growing crops.
423 00:21:03,733 00:21:07,543 But new finds are showing that domesticated animals But new finds are showing that domesticated animals
424 00:21:07,567 00:21:11,497 were extremely important to these early farmers. were extremely important to these early farmers.
425 00:21:14,400 00:21:18,276 But yet again, amongst the seemingly mundane finds, But yet again, amongst the seemingly mundane finds,
426 00:21:18,300 00:21:21,630 there are marvelous glimpses of a vanished world. there are marvelous glimpses of a vanished world.
427 00:21:24,067 00:21:26,309 Emerging from the soils is something Emerging from the soils is something
428 00:21:26,333 00:21:29,373 which has stunned the archaeologists. which has stunned the archaeologists.
429 00:21:30,333 00:21:33,043 The skulls of 40 cattle The skulls of 40 cattle
430 00:21:33,067 00:21:36,527 built into the foundations of a wall. built into the foundations of a wall.
431 00:21:39,133 00:21:41,109 How strange. How strange.
432 00:21:41,133 00:21:43,043 - Can we get a bit closer to it? - Yeah, we can do. - Can we get a bit closer to it? - Yeah, we can do.
433 00:21:43,067 00:21:45,427 Yeah, you can come and have a look down here. Yeah, you can come and have a look down here.
434 00:21:49,433 00:21:52,076 This is really peculiar. This is really peculiar.
435 00:21:52,100 00:21:53,876 You can see a whole line of them here. You can see a whole line of them here.
436 00:21:53,900 00:21:56,109 This is the outer face of the wall along here, This is the outer face of the wall along here,
437 00:21:56,133 00:21:58,276 the stones, and that's the inner face there. the stones, and that's the inner face there.
438 00:21:58,300 00:22:00,743 So they're placed into the core of the wall, So they're placed into the core of the wall,
439 00:22:00,767 00:22:02,343 into the thickness of the wall. into the thickness of the wall.
440 00:22:02,367 00:22:03,776 How peculiar, because that means How peculiar, because that means
441 00:22:03,800 00:22:05,343 that they wouldn't have been visible that they wouldn't have been visible
442 00:22:05,367 00:22:06,743 when the building was standing. when the building was standing.
443 00:22:06,767 00:22:08,343 No, they would have been placed there No, they would have been placed there
444 00:22:08,367 00:22:09,509 when the wall was being built. when the wall was being built.
445 00:22:09,533 00:22:12,043 They were the foundation level of the building. They were the foundation level of the building.
446 00:22:12,067 00:22:15,243 And you can see how they sort of relate to each other. And you can see how they sort of relate to each other.
447 00:22:15,267 00:22:17,509 They've been put in sequentially, these ones, They've been put in sequentially, these ones,
448 00:22:17,533 00:22:20,143 and the horns are actually overlapping on those ones, and the horns are actually overlapping on those ones,
449 00:22:20,167 00:22:21,843 and they've put some stones in and they've put some stones in
450 00:22:21,867 00:22:24,143 and then some more cattle skulls all along. and then some more cattle skulls all along.
451 00:22:24,167 00:22:26,943 It's making them part of a building. It's making them part of a building.
452 00:22:26,967 00:22:29,076 It's almost monumentalizing them, isn't it? It's almost monumentalizing them, isn't it?
453 00:22:29,100 00:22:31,109 It's somehow enshrining them. It's somehow enshrining them.
454 00:22:31,133 00:22:34,276 Imbuing the building with their spirit or whatever, yeah. Imbuing the building with their spirit or whatever, yeah.
455 00:22:34,300 00:22:36,170 Building them into the very foundations. Building them into the very foundations.
456 00:22:37,267 00:22:38,676 This strange discovery This strange discovery
457 00:22:38,700 00:22:41,043 reinforces what the researchers have learned reinforces what the researchers have learned
458 00:22:41,067 00:22:42,709 about the importance of livestock about the importance of livestock
459 00:22:42,733 00:22:44,903 to those early farmers. to those early farmers.
460 00:22:48,900 00:22:51,876 It's easy to see why cattle were so important It's easy to see why cattle were so important
461 00:22:51,900 00:22:54,643 in this fragile and remote landscape. in this fragile and remote landscape.
462 00:22:54,667 00:22:56,376 And it's yet another glimpse And it's yet another glimpse
463 00:22:56,400 00:22:59,776 into a mysterious ancient mind-set. into a mysterious ancient mind-set.
464 00:22:59,800 00:23:02,043 This is just utterly bizarre, This is just utterly bizarre,
465 00:23:02,067 00:23:05,909 these cattle skulls built into the fabric of a building. these cattle skulls built into the fabric of a building.
466 00:23:05,933 00:23:08,676 We'll never know exactly what they mean, We'll never know exactly what they mean,
467 00:23:08,700 00:23:12,500 but they obviously represent some complex beliefs. but they obviously represent some complex beliefs.
468 00:23:14,633 00:23:18,043 The archaeologists now know that this land was farmed The archaeologists now know that this land was farmed
469 00:23:18,067 00:23:20,743 for around 50 generations, for around 50 generations,
470 00:23:20,767 00:23:24,176 but eventually the struggle proved too great. but eventually the struggle proved too great.
471 00:23:24,200 00:23:27,043 Overcome by the wind and sand, Overcome by the wind and sand,
472 00:23:27,067 00:23:30,567 they gave up and abandoned their village. they gave up and abandoned their village.
473 00:23:32,467 00:23:34,276 It appears that the buildings It appears that the buildings
474 00:23:34,300 00:23:37,109 were deliberately filled in with rubble, were deliberately filled in with rubble,
475 00:23:37,133 00:23:39,809 within which archaeologists found within which archaeologists found
476 00:23:39,833 00:23:44,643 what could be a defining symbol of the farmers' defeat. what could be a defining symbol of the farmers' defeat.
477 00:23:44,667 00:23:47,043 And of course this is something we found last year And of course this is something we found last year
478 00:23:47,067 00:23:49,576 which really is quite unique, which really is quite unique,
479 00:23:49,600 00:23:52,409 and we haven't seen anything and we haven't seen anything
480 00:23:52,433 00:23:53,876 like this from the whole of Scotland. like this from the whole of Scotland.
481 00:23:53,900 00:23:57,409 You've brought her to show me! How lovely. You've brought her to show me! How lovely.
482 00:23:57,433 00:23:59,076 There she is in all her glory. There she is in all her glory.
483 00:23:59,100 00:24:00,743 - You can take her out. - Very small. - You can take her out. - Very small.
484 00:24:00,767 00:24:02,443 Yeah. Yeah.
485 00:24:02,467 00:24:06,376 This tiny figurine is known as the Westray Wifey. This tiny figurine is known as the Westray Wifey.
486 00:24:06,400 00:24:08,709 And despite her homespun appearance, And despite her homespun appearance,
487 00:24:08,733 00:24:10,843 she may be the earliest known expression she may be the earliest known expression
488 00:24:10,867 00:24:14,076 of religious identity ever found in Scotland. of religious identity ever found in Scotland.
489 00:24:14,100 00:24:15,243 She's really sweet. She's really sweet.
490 00:24:15,267 00:24:17,276 She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she? She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she?
491 00:24:17,300 00:24:18,343 She has. She has.
492 00:24:18,367 00:24:20,409 You can just pick out that she has eyes You can just pick out that she has eyes
493 00:24:20,433 00:24:22,376 and a very sort of curvy eyebrow. and a very sort of curvy eyebrow.
494 00:24:22,400 00:24:23,509 Yeah. Yeah.
495 00:24:23,533 00:24:26,476 And she's got this sort of very rough mouth, And she's got this sort of very rough mouth,
496 00:24:26,500 00:24:29,309 but she's also got arms down by her sides. but she's also got arms down by her sides.
497 00:24:29,333 00:24:30,609 Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
498 00:24:30,633 00:24:32,676 And then scratches on the top of her head as well. And then scratches on the top of her head as well.
499 00:24:32,700 00:24:35,670 - Yeah, like her hair almost. - Indicating hair, yeah. - Yeah, like her hair almost. - Indicating hair, yeah.
500 00:24:39,167 00:24:44,043 Where the figurine was found makes her even more intriguing. Where the figurine was found makes her even more intriguing.
501 00:24:44,067 00:24:46,443 She seems to have been carefully positioned She seems to have been carefully positioned
502 00:24:46,467 00:24:48,709 in the abandoned ruins. in the abandoned ruins.
503 00:24:48,733 00:24:50,409 It seems like she was probably It seems like she was probably
504 00:24:50,433 00:24:52,376 put there deliberately as a closing deposit. put there deliberately as a closing deposit.
505 00:24:52,400 00:24:54,543 She was placed there, and then there's no evidence She was placed there, and then there's no evidence
506 00:24:54,567 00:24:56,809 that anybody ever came and did anything here again. that anybody ever came and did anything here again.
507 00:24:56,833 00:24:58,876 So that was probably their way of marking So that was probably their way of marking
508 00:24:58,900 00:25:00,209 the close of that settlement. the close of that settlement.
509 00:25:00,233 00:25:01,509 She's really sweet. She's really sweet.
510 00:25:01,533 00:25:04,109 Hazel believes that Wifey's placing Hazel believes that Wifey's placing
511 00:25:04,133 00:25:08,773 may have been a ritual end to the farmers' long struggle. may have been a ritual end to the farmers' long struggle.
512 00:25:10,633 00:25:13,576 We're actually seeing how people thought, you know, We're actually seeing how people thought, you know,
513 00:25:13,600 00:25:15,409 that they decided that this was a good way that they decided that this was a good way
514 00:25:15,433 00:25:17,843 to close this building off at the end of the period. to close this building off at the end of the period.
515 00:25:17,867 00:25:19,909 So it gives you much more of an insight So it gives you much more of an insight
516 00:25:19,933 00:25:23,073 into how peoples' minds worked at the time. into how peoples' minds worked at the time.
517 00:25:24,067 00:25:26,043 If the researchers are right, If the researchers are right,
518 00:25:26,067 00:25:28,843 then the Westray Wifey is unique, then the Westray Wifey is unique,
519 00:25:28,867 00:25:33,743 a 5,000-year-old household goddess perhaps. a 5,000-year-old household goddess perhaps.
520 00:25:33,767 00:25:36,676 Figurines of this type are usually thought to be goddesses Figurines of this type are usually thought to be goddesses
521 00:25:36,700 00:25:39,843 or, you know, some religious deity kind of thing. or, you know, some religious deity kind of thing.
522 00:25:39,867 00:25:41,376 Given that she's the only one that we have Given that she's the only one that we have
523 00:25:41,400 00:25:44,043 and we don't have widespread representations, and we don't have widespread representations,
524 00:25:44,067 00:25:46,943 it's hard to argue that she is definitely a goddess, it's hard to argue that she is definitely a goddess,
525 00:25:46,967 00:25:49,709 but seems that she must be representational but seems that she must be representational
526 00:25:49,733 00:25:53,103 of some concept, religious concept. of some concept, religious concept.
527 00:25:54,867 00:25:57,676 It's rather wonderful to hold this tiny little figurine. It's rather wonderful to hold this tiny little figurine.
528 00:25:57,700 00:25:59,743 It's rather hard to know It's rather hard to know
529 00:25:59,767 00:26:01,543 what she meant to the people that made her, what she meant to the people that made her,
530 00:26:01,567 00:26:06,643 but nonetheless she's a fantastic little message but nonetheless she's a fantastic little message
531 00:26:06,667 00:26:08,343 from the past. from the past.
532 00:26:08,367 00:26:10,397 And utterly unique. And utterly unique.
533 00:26:11,067 00:26:13,676 But just days after I left the dig, But just days after I left the dig,
534 00:26:13,700 00:26:16,643 a second figurine was unearthed, a second figurine was unearthed,
535 00:26:16,667 00:26:18,509 bolstering Hazel's belief bolstering Hazel's belief
536 00:26:18,533 00:26:22,576 that these may have been household goddesses. that these may have been household goddesses.
537 00:26:22,600 00:26:25,709 This is just the third season of digging here. This is just the third season of digging here.
538 00:26:25,733 00:26:28,509 Every day, more of the mysterious settlement Every day, more of the mysterious settlement
539 00:26:28,533 00:26:30,173 is revealed. is revealed.
540 00:26:31,967 00:26:33,943 For thousands of years For thousands of years
541 00:26:33,967 00:26:37,109 people had buried their dead in communal graves. people had buried their dead in communal graves.
542 00:26:37,133 00:26:39,576 Then around 4,500 years ago Then around 4,500 years ago
543 00:26:39,600 00:26:42,909 something changed in that time-honored ritual, something changed in that time-honored ritual,
544 00:26:42,933 00:26:45,843 and people began to be buried in individual graves, and people began to be buried in individual graves,
545 00:26:45,867 00:26:49,397 something which seems much more familiar to us today. something which seems much more familiar to us today.
546 00:26:52,833 00:26:56,443 This is Culduthel man. This is Culduthel man.
547 00:26:56,467 00:26:58,676 He was discovered in 1975, He was discovered in 1975,
548 00:26:58,700 00:27:01,230 and he had been buried in the new way. and he had been buried in the new way.
549 00:27:04,067 00:27:06,309 This is very well preserved, This is very well preserved,
550 00:27:06,333 00:27:08,673 considering this is a 4,000-year-old skeleton. considering this is a 4,000-year-old skeleton.
551 00:27:10,433 00:27:14,176 His skeleton is curated by Alison Sheridan. His skeleton is curated by Alison Sheridan.
552 00:27:14,200 00:27:17,876 In his grave, archaeologists found a beaker, In his grave, archaeologists found a beaker,
553 00:27:17,900 00:27:19,943 a distinctive clay pot a distinctive clay pot
554 00:27:19,967 00:27:22,943 that was the symbol of this new burial style. that was the symbol of this new burial style.
555 00:27:22,967 00:27:26,843 We know that Beaker burials started on the continent, We know that Beaker burials started on the continent,
556 00:27:26,867 00:27:28,476 but once they arrived here but once they arrived here
557 00:27:28,500 00:27:31,143 they spread rapidly throughout the country. they spread rapidly throughout the country.
558 00:27:31,167 00:27:33,409 And the question that has perplexed archaeologists And the question that has perplexed archaeologists
559 00:27:33,433 00:27:35,543 for 150 years for 150 years
560 00:27:35,567 00:27:40,943 is how that Beaker culture spread so far so quickly. is how that Beaker culture spread so far so quickly.
561 00:27:40,967 00:27:44,576 Now a team of archaeologists is using cutting-edge science Now a team of archaeologists is using cutting-edge science
562 00:27:44,600 00:27:47,109 to work that out. to work that out.
563 00:27:47,133 00:27:51,643 They want to know if it was just the ideas that traveled They want to know if it was just the ideas that traveled
564 00:27:51,667 00:27:54,927 or if the people did too. or if the people did too.
565 00:27:56,133 00:27:58,143 Janet Montgomery and Jane Evans Janet Montgomery and Jane Evans
566 00:27:58,167 00:28:00,843 are analyzing the isotopic signatures are analyzing the isotopic signatures
567 00:28:00,867 00:28:03,509 of Beaker skeletons like Culduthel man of Beaker skeletons like Culduthel man
568 00:28:03,533 00:28:05,309 to find out where they lived to find out where they lived
569 00:28:05,333 00:28:07,873 and whether they moved during their lifetimes. and whether they moved during their lifetimes.
570 00:28:10,267 00:28:13,276 To do that, they must painstakingly extract To do that, they must painstakingly extract
571 00:28:13,300 00:28:17,300 some tooth enamel from each Bronze Age individual. some tooth enamel from each Bronze Age individual.
572 00:28:18,900 00:28:21,043 We only need a very small amount, We only need a very small amount,
573 00:28:21,067 00:28:24,043 less than a match-head size of tissue. less than a match-head size of tissue.
574 00:28:24,067 00:28:26,109 But you have to make sure when you take it But you have to make sure when you take it
575 00:28:26,133 00:28:27,509 that it's not contaminated. that it's not contaminated.
576 00:28:27,533 00:28:29,676 It has to be cleaned, it has to be carefully removed It has to be cleaned, it has to be carefully removed
577 00:28:29,700 00:28:31,609 so you don't mix up the tissues so you don't mix up the tissues
578 00:28:31,633 00:28:34,576 and that it's free from any contamination from the burial. and that it's free from any contamination from the burial.
579 00:28:34,600 00:28:36,276 What we want to do is take something What we want to do is take something
580 00:28:36,300 00:28:38,643 that tells you about the person when they were alive, that tells you about the person when they were alive,
581 00:28:38,667 00:28:40,676 not what's happened during the time not what's happened during the time
582 00:28:40,700 00:28:42,876 their body's been buried in the ground. their body's been buried in the ground.
583 00:28:42,900 00:28:48,243 Chemicals in each sample tell us where that person grew up. Chemicals in each sample tell us where that person grew up.
584 00:28:48,267 00:28:50,543 We know where they were then buried, We know where they were then buried,
585 00:28:50,567 00:28:54,409 so we can tell if someone moved during their lifetime so we can tell if someone moved during their lifetime
586 00:28:54,433 00:28:57,676 or if they stayed in their childhood home. or if they stayed in their childhood home.
587 00:28:57,700 00:29:02,176 Janet and Jane have analyzed over 250 Beaker skeletons, Janet and Jane have analyzed over 250 Beaker skeletons,
588 00:29:02,200 00:29:04,309 in this way. in this way.
589 00:29:04,333 00:29:08,043 The project has been five years in the making, The project has been five years in the making,
590 00:29:08,067 00:29:12,409 It's the biggest-ever survey of our prehistoric ancestors, It's the biggest-ever survey of our prehistoric ancestors,
591 00:29:12,433 00:29:16,933 and Culduthel man is the latest to join it. and Culduthel man is the latest to join it.
592 00:29:18,567 00:29:20,776 His teeth were in such poor condition His teeth were in such poor condition
593 00:29:20,800 00:29:23,043 that Jane had to use a different technique that Jane had to use a different technique
594 00:29:23,067 00:29:25,943 to extract the sample. to extract the sample.
595 00:29:25,967 00:29:29,043 These teeth have got almost no enamel remaining on them. These teeth have got almost no enamel remaining on them.
596 00:29:29,067 00:29:32,676 So, what I did, instead of slicing the tooth up, So, what I did, instead of slicing the tooth up,
597 00:29:32,700 00:29:36,343 I had to pick off very carefully with forceps I had to pick off very carefully with forceps
598 00:29:36,367 00:29:38,776 small fragments of the enamel. small fragments of the enamel.
599 00:29:38,800 00:29:41,443 Jane managed to obtain a sample, Jane managed to obtain a sample,
600 00:29:41,467 00:29:43,109 but once she got the results but once she got the results
601 00:29:43,133 00:29:46,043 she was convinced there had been a mistake. she was convinced there had been a mistake.
602 00:29:46,067 00:29:48,843 It was only after I got the enamel results in triplicate It was only after I got the enamel results in triplicate
603 00:29:48,867 00:29:51,076 that I was convinced and happy enough that I was convinced and happy enough
604 00:29:51,100 00:29:55,043 with the results to tell everybody else what we'd got. with the results to tell everybody else what we'd got.
605 00:29:55,067 00:29:57,343 The analysis has been carried out here The analysis has been carried out here
606 00:29:57,367 00:29:58,676 at the British Geological Survey, at the British Geological Survey,
607 00:29:58,700 00:30:00,776 and after five years the researchers and after five years the researchers
608 00:30:00,800 00:30:03,209 are just beginning to bring all their results together are just beginning to bring all their results together
609 00:30:03,233 00:30:05,773 and draw some conclusions. and draw some conclusions.
610 00:30:07,233 00:30:11,103 I wonder how our man from Culduthel has done. I wonder how our man from Culduthel has done.
611 00:30:12,300 00:30:15,276 The isotope composition that his teeth gave The isotope composition that his teeth gave
612 00:30:15,300 00:30:18,643 suggested that he came from an area of this type of rock, suggested that he came from an area of this type of rock,
613 00:30:18,667 00:30:21,609 this area of Antrim, and it's the Antrim basalts. this area of Antrim, and it's the Antrim basalts.
614 00:30:21,633 00:30:23,176 So you think he's Irish? So you think he's Irish?
615 00:30:23,200 00:30:25,409 That is the most likely place for him to have come from. That is the most likely place for him to have come from.
616 00:30:25,433 00:30:26,909 How interesting. How interesting.
617 00:30:26,933 00:30:30,809 And so he managed to make it from his childhood site here And so he managed to make it from his childhood site here
618 00:30:30,833 00:30:33,476 to his burial site up around here. to his burial site up around here.
619 00:30:33,500 00:30:36,243 So around 4,000 years ago So around 4,000 years ago
620 00:30:36,267 00:30:40,076 Culduthel man moved 300 miles across the seas Culduthel man moved 300 miles across the seas
621 00:30:40,100 00:30:43,876 from his Irish home to his Scottish grave, from his Irish home to his Scottish grave,
622 00:30:43,900 00:30:47,470 where he lay buried in a signature Beaker burial. where he lay buried in a signature Beaker burial.
623 00:30:49,833 00:30:53,743 But Culduthel man is just one of the 250 skeletons But Culduthel man is just one of the 250 skeletons
624 00:30:53,767 00:30:55,476 from around the country from around the country
625 00:30:55,500 00:30:59,200 which could explain how the Beaker culture spread. which could explain how the Beaker culture spread.
626 00:31:00,067 00:31:02,676 What about the isotope project as a whole? What about the isotope project as a whole?
627 00:31:02,700 00:31:05,043 What is it telling you about this period in the Bronze Age What is it telling you about this period in the Bronze Age
628 00:31:05,067 00:31:07,076 and about populations moving around? and about populations moving around?
629 00:31:07,100 00:31:11,543 A lot of the evidence that I've got from this project A lot of the evidence that I've got from this project
630 00:31:11,567 00:31:15,097 and other data, they seem to be very mobile at this time. and other data, they seem to be very mobile at this time.
631 00:31:17,167 00:31:20,209 The survey reveals some intriguing results The survey reveals some intriguing results
632 00:31:20,233 00:31:23,209 showing our ancestors traveling long distances showing our ancestors traveling long distances
633 00:31:23,233 00:31:24,843 across the country. across the country.
634 00:31:24,867 00:31:27,843 Results from Beaker burials in the Yorkshire Wolds area, Results from Beaker burials in the Yorkshire Wolds area,
635 00:31:27,867 00:31:32,409 for example, showed that over 50% of the individuals sampled for example, showed that over 50% of the individuals sampled
636 00:31:32,433 00:31:35,576 had moved there from somewhere else, had moved there from somewhere else,
637 00:31:35,600 00:31:38,230 some from as far afield as Scotland. some from as far afield as Scotland.
638 00:31:40,233 00:31:42,043 It's interesting because I think you tend to think It's interesting because I think you tend to think
639 00:31:42,067 00:31:43,609 that people in these prehistoric societies that people in these prehistoric societies
640 00:31:43,633 00:31:45,409 were perhaps a lot more settled than that. were perhaps a lot more settled than that.
641 00:31:45,433 00:31:47,743 The further back you go, the more settled they were. The further back you go, the more settled they were.
642 00:31:47,767 00:31:49,197 - It doesn't work that way. - No. - It doesn't work that way. - No.
643 00:31:50,700 00:31:52,376 This project is really interesting This project is really interesting
644 00:31:52,400 00:31:53,509 because of the scale of it. because of the scale of it.
645 00:31:53,533 00:31:56,409 They've looked at 250 individuals, They've looked at 250 individuals,
646 00:31:56,433 00:31:58,476 and that means we can start and that means we can start
647 00:31:58,500 00:32:01,043 to answer some of those big questions to answer some of those big questions
648 00:32:01,067 00:32:04,567 about the population of Britain during the Bronze Age. about the population of Britain during the Bronze Age.
649 00:32:17,633 00:32:21,276 I'm on my way to meet a group of amateur archaeologists I'm on my way to meet a group of amateur archaeologists
650 00:32:21,300 00:32:26,230 who are uncovering a remarkable story about Bronze Age Britain. who are uncovering a remarkable story about Bronze Age Britain.
651 00:32:29,100 00:32:32,043 4,000 years ago these waters would have been 4,000 years ago these waters would have been
652 00:32:32,067 00:32:34,676 buzzing with ships. buzzing with ships.
653 00:32:34,700 00:32:37,809 Bronze Age Britons were traveling and trading Bronze Age Britons were traveling and trading
654 00:32:37,833 00:32:39,833 the length of this coast. the length of this coast.
655 00:32:42,733 00:32:45,143 I'm heading towards a site that has yielded I'm heading towards a site that has yielded
656 00:32:45,167 00:32:47,709 a treasure trove of beautiful objects a treasure trove of beautiful objects
657 00:32:47,733 00:32:51,176 and vivid proof of the early importance of trade and vivid proof of the early importance of trade
658 00:32:51,200 00:32:54,443 and the risks that traders ran. and the risks that traders ran.
659 00:32:54,467 00:32:56,709 We're about half a mile off the coast, We're about half a mile off the coast,
660 00:32:56,733 00:32:59,073 near Salcombe in South Devon. near Salcombe in South Devon.
661 00:33:03,900 00:33:05,543 We're approaching really carefully We're approaching really carefully
662 00:33:05,567 00:33:08,109 because there are divers down there at the moment. because there are divers down there at the moment.
663 00:33:08,133 00:33:10,043 - Hello. - Hi. - Hello. - Hi.
664 00:33:10,067 00:33:12,476 - Morning. - Hello, Alice! - Morning. - Hello, Alice!
665 00:33:12,500 00:33:14,676 - Hello! - Hello! - Hello! - Hello!
666 00:33:14,700 00:33:16,376 These aren't professional archaeologists. These aren't professional archaeologists.
667 00:33:16,400 00:33:19,809 They're divers who found a love for history. They're divers who found a love for history.
668 00:33:19,833 00:33:22,309 And for me, that makes what they're finding here And for me, that makes what they're finding here
669 00:33:22,333 00:33:24,509 all the more special. all the more special.
670 00:33:24,533 00:33:26,409 It's real dedication here. It's real dedication here.
671 00:33:26,433 00:33:29,709 These guys are down at Salcombe every few weeks, These guys are down at Salcombe every few weeks,
672 00:33:29,733 00:33:32,043 diving in the same spot, diving in the same spot,
673 00:33:32,067 00:33:34,409 constantly looking for new objects constantly looking for new objects
674 00:33:34,433 00:33:36,073 that are coming up from the seabed. that are coming up from the seabed.
675 00:33:43,667 00:33:47,109 The team dive using underwater metal detectors The team dive using underwater metal detectors
676 00:33:47,133 00:33:48,833 to scan the seabed. to scan the seabed.
677 00:33:51,600 00:33:55,909 In the last few months, their dedication has paid off In the last few months, their dedication has paid off
678 00:33:55,933 00:33:59,243 with a massive haul of objects with a massive haul of objects
679 00:33:59,267 00:34:01,876 which have been sent to the British Museum, which have been sent to the British Museum,
680 00:34:01,900 00:34:06,409 where they're being analyzed by curator Ben Roberts. where they're being analyzed by curator Ben Roberts.
681 00:34:06,433 00:34:09,109 In total, we've got over 300 objects. In total, we've got over 300 objects.
682 00:34:09,133 00:34:10,909 We're still working through them at the moment, We're still working through them at the moment,
683 00:34:10,933 00:34:12,209 and they're still being found. and they're still being found.
684 00:34:12,233 00:34:13,603 That's the fantastic thing. That's the fantastic thing.
685 00:34:16,267 00:34:19,476 What's amazing about this particular collection of objects What's amazing about this particular collection of objects
686 00:34:19,500 00:34:22,376 is it encapsulates where we were culturally is it encapsulates where we were culturally
687 00:34:22,400 00:34:25,043 about 3,000 or so years ago. about 3,000 or so years ago.
688 00:34:25,067 00:34:28,243 You have swords, and this was, for your Bronze Age warrior, You have swords, and this was, for your Bronze Age warrior,
689 00:34:28,267 00:34:31,509 what you would have used in conflict against your neighbors. what you would have used in conflict against your neighbors.
690 00:34:31,533 00:34:33,909 And we have plenty of evidence for warfare at this time. And we have plenty of evidence for warfare at this time.
691 00:34:33,933 00:34:36,843 Also you have large-scale trade. Also you have large-scale trade.
692 00:34:36,867 00:34:40,167 This is proper large-scale trade in commodities. This is proper large-scale trade in commodities.
693 00:34:48,133 00:34:50,833 So that's the next couple of divers going down. So that's the next couple of divers going down.
694 00:34:58,633 00:35:02,909 The divers can spend up to an hour at a time underwater The divers can spend up to an hour at a time underwater
695 00:35:02,933 00:35:05,509 at a depth of 10 meters. at a depth of 10 meters.
696 00:35:05,533 00:35:08,076 I was talking to Jim, and he said that the seabed, I was talking to Jim, and he said that the seabed,
697 00:35:08,100 00:35:10,776 the sediments, the gravels, move around quite a bit down there, the sediments, the gravels, move around quite a bit down there,
698 00:35:10,800 00:35:16,076 so every time they dive, there might be something new exposed. so every time they dive, there might be something new exposed.
699 00:35:16,100 00:35:19,376 The group dive around once a month. The group dive around once a month.
700 00:35:19,400 00:35:21,509 Because the seabed is constantly moving, Because the seabed is constantly moving,
701 00:35:21,533 00:35:25,476 it's impossible to predict whether they'll find anything. it's impossible to predict whether they'll find anything.
702 00:35:25,500 00:35:27,476 Perhaps the most eye-catching of the finds Perhaps the most eye-catching of the finds
703 00:35:27,500 00:35:29,776 so far examined at the British Museum so far examined at the British Museum
704 00:35:29,800 00:35:33,243 is the exquisite jewelry. is the exquisite jewelry.
705 00:35:33,267 00:35:36,709 Usually when we find Bronze Age gold from this time, Usually when we find Bronze Age gold from this time,
706 00:35:36,733 00:35:39,509 somewhere about just over 3,000 years ago, somewhere about just over 3,000 years ago,
707 00:35:39,533 00:35:42,343 we find relatively simple gold objects. we find relatively simple gold objects.
708 00:35:42,367 00:35:45,043 So for instance, here you have a fragment So for instance, here you have a fragment
709 00:35:45,067 00:35:47,709 of what would have been a twisted gold neck ring, of what would have been a twisted gold neck ring,
710 00:35:47,733 00:35:50,443 where you take your gold bar and you twist it. where you take your gold bar and you twist it.
711 00:35:50,467 00:35:53,676 Similarly, you have gold bracelets. Similarly, you have gold bracelets.
712 00:35:53,700 00:35:55,309 These are solid-bar bracelets. These are solid-bar bracelets.
713 00:35:55,333 00:35:57,043 They've just taken a bar of gold, They've just taken a bar of gold,
714 00:35:57,067 00:35:59,376 and they've just twisted it around the wrist. and they've just twisted it around the wrist.
715 00:35:59,400 00:36:02,176 What this means is that these bracelets here What this means is that these bracelets here
716 00:36:02,200 00:36:06,109 are just far in excess of anything that had come before. are just far in excess of anything that had come before.
717 00:36:06,133 00:36:08,909 Here you have eight strands of gold wire Here you have eight strands of gold wire
718 00:36:08,933 00:36:10,643 that have been twisted on their own that have been twisted on their own
719 00:36:10,667 00:36:12,343 and then bound together and then bound together
720 00:36:12,367 00:36:13,843 to create this stunning little bracelet to create this stunning little bracelet
721 00:36:13,867 00:36:16,076 which, when it came off the seabed, which, when it came off the seabed,
722 00:36:16,100 00:36:17,909 was just perfectly coiled. was just perfectly coiled.
723 00:36:17,933 00:36:20,643 These represent the absolute pinnacle These represent the absolute pinnacle
724 00:36:20,667 00:36:22,297 of Bronze Age goldworking. of Bronze Age goldworking.
725 00:36:24,767 00:36:27,576 So, what we've got here is this small group of divers So, what we've got here is this small group of divers
726 00:36:27,600 00:36:29,876 who are spending all their free time who are spending all their free time
727 00:36:29,900 00:36:33,243 combing the seabed down here in South Devon, combing the seabed down here in South Devon,
728 00:36:33,267 00:36:36,509 and they're making really significant discoveries and they're making really significant discoveries
729 00:36:36,533 00:36:39,343 that are helping us to understand the Bronze Age that are helping us to understand the Bronze Age
730 00:36:39,367 00:36:41,667 that little bit better. that little bit better.
731 00:36:43,200 00:36:46,709 Both the divers and Ben have reached the same conclusion Both the divers and Ben have reached the same conclusion
732 00:36:46,733 00:36:49,943 about why these objects are here. about why these objects are here.
733 00:36:49,967 00:36:51,576 Although we're still finding objects Although we're still finding objects
734 00:36:51,600 00:36:53,576 and the story's still being written, and the story's still being written,
735 00:36:53,600 00:36:55,576 I think this is probably a shipwreck. I think this is probably a shipwreck.
736 00:36:55,600 00:36:58,043 And I say that because we're finding things And I say that because we're finding things
737 00:36:58,067 00:37:00,876 that we don't normally find on land that we don't normally find on land
738 00:37:00,900 00:37:02,143 and we don't normally find and we don't normally find
739 00:37:02,167 00:37:04,476 when they've been deliberately placed in rivers when they've been deliberately placed in rivers
740 00:37:04,500 00:37:07,770 and deliberately placed in bogs, as we have all over Britain. and deliberately placed in bogs, as we have all over Britain.
741 00:37:09,800 00:37:11,243 The group have discovered The group have discovered
742 00:37:11,267 00:37:14,276 one of the oldest shipwrecks in Britain. one of the oldest shipwrecks in Britain.
743 00:37:14,300 00:37:17,943 No remains of the ship itself have been found, No remains of the ship itself have been found,
744 00:37:17,967 00:37:22,376 but most of the objects were probably its cargo. but most of the objects were probably its cargo.
745 00:37:22,400 00:37:25,476 But there's a mystery here too. But there's a mystery here too.
746 00:37:25,500 00:37:30,609 The majority of the objects date to around 2,300 B.C., The majority of the objects date to around 2,300 B.C.,
747 00:37:30,633 00:37:33,933 but some date to a few centuries later. but some date to a few centuries later.
748 00:37:35,567 00:37:38,609 Ben has been trying to work out why this could be. Ben has been trying to work out why this could be.
749 00:37:38,633 00:37:41,209 I think there's only two ways that you can really explain I think there's only two ways that you can really explain
750 00:37:41,233 00:37:44,743 why these objects ended up off the south coast of Devon why these objects ended up off the south coast of Devon
751 00:37:44,767 00:37:46,276 in the same place. in the same place.
752 00:37:46,300 00:37:50,843 And one is a shipwreck, um, or maybe two shipwrecks, And one is a shipwreck, um, or maybe two shipwrecks,
753 00:37:50,867 00:37:53,776 and the other one is to say they were deliberately placed there. and the other one is to say they were deliberately placed there.
754 00:37:53,800 00:37:55,943 So we have this tradition in the Bronze Age So we have this tradition in the Bronze Age
755 00:37:55,967 00:37:58,676 of placing bronze and gold objects of placing bronze and gold objects
756 00:37:58,700 00:38:00,243 in special points in the landscape in special points in the landscape
757 00:38:00,267 00:38:02,943 such as hillsides or in bogs and springs. such as hillsides or in bogs and springs.
758 00:38:02,967 00:38:06,276 So it's possible that it was a combination of the two, So it's possible that it was a combination of the two,
759 00:38:06,300 00:38:09,109 with one taking place slightly earlier as a shipwreck with one taking place slightly earlier as a shipwreck
760 00:38:09,133 00:38:11,509 and one potentially later as a dedication. and one potentially later as a dedication.
761 00:38:11,533 00:38:13,303 It's really hard to say. It's really hard to say.
762 00:38:14,533 00:38:17,943 So the objects with the later dates may have been an offering So the objects with the later dates may have been an offering
763 00:38:17,967 00:38:19,809 thrown into the sea thrown into the sea
764 00:38:19,833 00:38:22,909 in remembrance of that original shipwreck. in remembrance of that original shipwreck.
765 00:38:22,933 00:38:26,309 It's a touching thought. It's a touching thought.
766 00:38:26,333 00:38:29,509 Although the gold objects found by the divers Although the gold objects found by the divers
767 00:38:29,533 00:38:32,143 are the most beautiful and striking, are the most beautiful and striking,
768 00:38:32,167 00:38:35,209 they are not the most important of the finds. they are not the most important of the finds.
769 00:38:35,233 00:38:40,373 Instead, it's some much more mundane lumps of tin. Instead, it's some much more mundane lumps of tin.
770 00:38:42,467 00:38:47,409 These ingots that we have... absolutely the first tin ingots These ingots that we have... absolutely the first tin ingots
771 00:38:47,433 00:38:50,209 that have ever been found in the Bronze Age in northern Europe. that have ever been found in the Bronze Age in northern Europe.
772 00:38:50,233 00:38:51,743 Very exciting for me. Very exciting for me.
773 00:38:51,767 00:38:53,743 I understand not necessarily aesthetically beautiful I understand not necessarily aesthetically beautiful
774 00:38:53,767 00:38:56,643 for everyone else, but nonetheless very exciting. for everyone else, but nonetheless very exciting.
775 00:38:56,667 00:38:59,709 The tin ingot represents this missing link The tin ingot represents this missing link
776 00:38:59,733 00:39:01,243 in our Bronze Age world in our Bronze Age world
777 00:39:01,267 00:39:02,843 between the finished bronze objects between the finished bronze objects
778 00:39:02,867 00:39:05,376 that we have here, the bronze ingots. that we have here, the bronze ingots.
779 00:39:05,400 00:39:09,443 So it's these that represent our first evidence of the tin trade So it's these that represent our first evidence of the tin trade
780 00:39:09,467 00:39:10,909 in this part of the world. in this part of the world.
781 00:39:10,933 00:39:12,476 So it's these, for an archaeologist, So it's these, for an archaeologist,
782 00:39:12,500 00:39:16,700 that are actually more exciting even than the gold. that are actually more exciting even than the gold.
783 00:39:18,367 00:39:21,409 Archaeologists have long suspected that the South West, Archaeologists have long suspected that the South West,
784 00:39:21,433 00:39:23,676 with its naturally occurring tin ore, with its naturally occurring tin ore,
785 00:39:23,700 00:39:25,176 would have played a central role would have played a central role
786 00:39:25,200 00:39:28,576 in supplying this raw material across Europe. in supplying this raw material across Europe.
787 00:39:28,600 00:39:31,743 This is the crucial evidence they've been waiting for, This is the crucial evidence they've been waiting for,
788 00:39:31,767 00:39:34,627 found by our amateur team. found by our amateur team.
789 00:39:35,800 00:39:38,243 Those bubbles coming up there mean there's a couple of divers Those bubbles coming up there mean there's a couple of divers
790 00:39:38,267 00:39:41,376 just about to break the surface, which is very exciting. just about to break the surface, which is very exciting.
791 00:39:41,400 00:39:43,230 I wonder what they've found. I wonder what they've found.
792 00:39:46,500 00:39:48,209 - Hello, Mick. - Hi. - Hello, Mick. - Hi.
793 00:39:48,233 00:39:50,809 - Welcome back. - Ohh! - Welcome back. - Ohh!
794 00:39:50,833 00:39:52,343 Welcome. Welcome.
795 00:39:52,367 00:39:54,809 Did you find anything? Did you find anything?
796 00:39:54,833 00:39:56,573 An old bullet. An old bullet.
797 00:40:00,467 00:40:02,143 It's not Bronze Age, is it, Mick. It's not Bronze Age, is it, Mick.
798 00:40:02,167 00:40:04,067 No. No.
799 00:40:04,833 00:40:07,633 That's very disappointing. That's very disappointing.
800 00:40:15,800 00:40:17,176 Well, they didn't find anything today, Well, they didn't find anything today,
801 00:40:17,200 00:40:21,543 but undoubtedly there's more of this Bronze Age shipwreck but undoubtedly there's more of this Bronze Age shipwreck
802 00:40:21,567 00:40:24,243 to come to light here, and of course what we're looking at to come to light here, and of course what we're looking at
803 00:40:24,267 00:40:26,543 is a 3,000-year-old tragedy. is a 3,000-year-old tragedy.
804 00:40:26,567 00:40:29,709 Imagine this boat laden with tin and copper ingots Imagine this boat laden with tin and copper ingots
805 00:40:29,733 00:40:31,376 making its way along the coast here, making its way along the coast here,
806 00:40:31,400 00:40:34,476 and perhaps they were just in sight of a safe harbor and perhaps they were just in sight of a safe harbor
807 00:40:34,500 00:40:36,476 when disaster struck. when disaster struck.
808 00:40:36,500 00:40:39,409 We'll never know whether the crew managed to survive, We'll never know whether the crew managed to survive,
809 00:40:39,433 00:40:42,876 but their precious cargo of copper and tin but their precious cargo of copper and tin
810 00:40:42,900 00:40:45,900 was claimed by the sea. was claimed by the sea.
811 00:40:49,133 00:40:51,443 We started our million-year journey We started our million-year journey
812 00:40:51,467 00:40:57,243 with finds of rudimentary flint tools made by ancient hominids. with finds of rudimentary flint tools made by ancient hominids.
813 00:40:57,267 00:40:59,176 As we've traveled forward through time As we've traveled forward through time
814 00:40:59,200 00:41:02,043 to discover this complex trading society, to discover this complex trading society,
815 00:41:02,067 00:41:05,309 everything has become more familiar. everything has become more familiar.
816 00:41:05,333 00:41:08,443 What strikes me is that in our prehistory What strikes me is that in our prehistory
817 00:41:08,467 00:41:11,876 are quite clearly the roots of what we think of today are quite clearly the roots of what we think of today
818 00:41:11,900 00:41:15,970 as our culture, our way of life. as our culture, our way of life.
819 00:41:18,667 00:41:21,843 And what really brought that home were some discoveries And what really brought that home were some discoveries
820 00:41:21,867 00:41:24,043 made in the grave of a chieftain made in the grave of a chieftain
821 00:41:24,067 00:41:27,476 in Forteviot in Scotland last year. in Forteviot in Scotland last year.
822 00:41:27,500 00:41:32,076 When Howard Carter opened Tutankhamun's tomb, When Howard Carter opened Tutankhamun's tomb,
823 00:41:32,100 00:41:38,043 he reportedly said, "I see things, wonderful things!" he reportedly said, "I see things, wonderful things!"
824 00:41:38,067 00:41:39,243 This is what really happens This is what really happens
825 00:41:39,267 00:41:42,967 when archaeologists make those amazing discoveries. when archaeologists make those amazing discoveries.
826 00:41:48,800 00:41:50,409 [Bleep] me! [Bleep] me!
827 00:41:50,433 00:41:51,843 [ Bleep ] [ Bleep ]
828 00:41:51,867 00:41:54,143 Oh, my God! Oh! Oh, my God! Oh!
829 00:41:54,167 00:41:55,797 Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
830 00:41:57,633 00:42:00,109 This is the dramatic moment last year This is the dramatic moment last year
831 00:42:00,133 00:42:01,909 when archaeologists filmed themselves when archaeologists filmed themselves
832 00:42:01,933 00:42:07,443 as they lifted the capstone of a 4,000-year-old tomb. as they lifted the capstone of a 4,000-year-old tomb.
833 00:42:07,467 00:42:09,209 It would change our understanding It would change our understanding
834 00:42:09,233 00:42:14,709 of how Bronze Age people buried their loved ones. of how Bronze Age people buried their loved ones.
835 00:42:14,733 00:42:17,509 After discovering the tomb with geophysics, After discovering the tomb with geophysics,
836 00:42:17,533 00:42:20,143 archaeologists Kenny Brophy and his team archaeologists Kenny Brophy and his team
837 00:42:20,167 00:42:23,643 had to wait a year to be able to open it. had to wait a year to be able to open it.
838 00:42:23,667 00:42:25,443 - Oh, my God! - Got some metal. - Oh, my God! - Got some metal.
839 00:42:25,467 00:42:27,543 This is cool as [bleep] This is cool as [bleep]
840 00:42:27,567 00:42:28,943 We might have to bleep that out. We might have to bleep that out.
841 00:42:28,967 00:42:32,043 Yes, well, there was a lot of excitement on site. Yes, well, there was a lot of excitement on site.
842 00:42:32,067 00:42:33,943 This is an incredibly exciting moment in archaeology, This is an incredibly exciting moment in archaeology,
843 00:42:33,967 00:42:36,543 isn't it, because a lot of archaeological excavation isn't it, because a lot of archaeological excavation
844 00:42:36,567 00:42:40,943 is about painstakingly removing thin layers of soil, is about painstakingly removing thin layers of soil,
845 00:42:40,967 00:42:43,109 very gradually uncovering things. very gradually uncovering things.
846 00:42:43,133 00:42:48,943 This is a rather momentous uncovering of a grave. This is a rather momentous uncovering of a grave.
847 00:42:48,967 00:42:51,176 It must be quite exciting to be standing there at the time. It must be quite exciting to be standing there at the time.
848 00:42:51,200 00:42:54,076 It was. I mean, it was really a set-piece moment. It was. I mean, it was really a set-piece moment.
849 00:42:54,100 00:42:55,676 There was a real sense that we just didn't know There was a real sense that we just didn't know
850 00:42:55,700 00:42:57,209 what we were going to find, which is one of what we were going to find, which is one of
851 00:42:57,233 00:42:58,876 the great excitements of archaeology, of course, the great excitements of archaeology, of course,
852 00:42:58,900 00:43:00,970 but this really was a mystery. but this really was a mystery.
853 00:43:03,600 00:43:05,176 Oh, for Christ's sake, we're having... Oh, for Christ's sake, we're having...
854 00:43:05,200 00:43:08,043 The stone-lined grave, known as a cist, The stone-lined grave, known as a cist,
855 00:43:08,067 00:43:10,109 held many treasures, held many treasures,
856 00:43:10,133 00:43:11,743 and it would prove to be the grave and it would prove to be the grave
857 00:43:11,767 00:43:14,367 of a Bronze Age chieftain. of a Bronze Age chieftain.
858 00:43:16,433 00:43:19,176 But there was one big surprise. But there was one big surprise.
859 00:43:19,200 00:43:22,430 No sign of his body remained. No sign of his body remained.
860 00:43:24,133 00:43:25,576 This is really peculiar, isn't it? This is really peculiar, isn't it?
861 00:43:25,600 00:43:28,576 You've taken this stone off the top of this cist burial, You've taken this stone off the top of this cist burial,
862 00:43:28,600 00:43:31,376 and you're confronted with objects and you're confronted with objects
863 00:43:31,400 00:43:32,843 which are, you know, fantastic, which are, you know, fantastic,
864 00:43:32,867 00:43:34,743 you know you've got organic remains. you know you've got organic remains.
865 00:43:34,767 00:43:36,309 But there's no skeleton. But there's no skeleton.
866 00:43:36,333 00:43:38,176 Well, that was the thing that immediately struck us, Well, that was the thing that immediately struck us,
867 00:43:38,200 00:43:40,076 because I imagined in my mind's eye because I imagined in my mind's eye
868 00:43:40,100 00:43:42,543 that when the cist was opened we would see a skeleton lying there that when the cist was opened we would see a skeleton lying there
869 00:43:42,567 00:43:44,409 maybe with a nice piece of pottery next to it. maybe with a nice piece of pottery next to it.
870 00:43:44,433 00:43:47,043 And nothing I saw conformed to anything that I expected. And nothing I saw conformed to anything that I expected.
871 00:43:47,067 00:43:52,743 But the team did recover this mysterious white material. But the team did recover this mysterious white material.
872 00:43:52,767 00:43:54,709 One thing that we did notice when we were digging One thing that we did notice when we were digging
873 00:43:54,733 00:43:56,543 was that there was a kind of white powder was that there was a kind of white powder
874 00:43:56,567 00:43:59,043 stuck to the side of the cist. stuck to the side of the cist.
875 00:43:59,067 00:44:02,509 It was this powder that would solve the mystery It was this powder that would solve the mystery
876 00:44:02,533 00:44:05,076 of the missing skeleton. of the missing skeleton.
877 00:44:05,100 00:44:07,143 We found that it is some kind of calcite substance, We found that it is some kind of calcite substance,
878 00:44:07,167 00:44:09,676 which would suggest it came from bone, which would suggest it came from bone,
879 00:44:09,700 00:44:12,276 and that bone was perhaps broken down by body fluids and that bone was perhaps broken down by body fluids
880 00:44:12,300 00:44:14,343 that were leaking from the body, that were leaking from the body,
881 00:44:14,367 00:44:15,943 and then the bones all dissolved. and then the bones all dissolved.
882 00:44:15,967 00:44:18,309 Right, so this is bone mineral, Right, so this is bone mineral,
883 00:44:18,333 00:44:20,409 but bone mineral that's been dissolved but bone mineral that's been dissolved
884 00:44:20,433 00:44:22,443 and then redeposited inside that grave. and then redeposited inside that grave.
885 00:44:22,467 00:44:23,943 - Essentially, yes. - Yeah. - Essentially, yes. - Yeah.
886 00:44:23,967 00:44:26,209 - And this is all that's left? - Yeah, this is all that's left. - And this is all that's left? - Yeah, this is all that's left.
887 00:44:26,233 00:44:28,209 So, essentially that bag of material there So, essentially that bag of material there
888 00:44:28,233 00:44:29,776 is probably the only remnants that are left is probably the only remnants that are left
889 00:44:29,800 00:44:31,443 of the person who was buried in this cist, of the person who was buried in this cist,
890 00:44:31,467 00:44:36,167 which is, I suppose, a sad end, really, to this person. which is, I suppose, a sad end, really, to this person.
891 00:44:38,233 00:44:40,409 From almost the first moment, From almost the first moment,
892 00:44:40,433 00:44:44,176 the team suspected they had a high-status burial, the team suspected they had a high-status burial,
893 00:44:44,200 00:44:47,409 and one key find confirmed that... and one key find confirmed that...
894 00:44:47,433 00:44:50,543 this magnificent dagger. this magnificent dagger.
895 00:44:50,567 00:44:52,243 This is very elaborate, isn't it? This is very elaborate, isn't it?
896 00:44:52,267 00:44:55,043 It's a fantastic piece of Bronze Age technology It's a fantastic piece of Bronze Age technology
897 00:44:55,067 00:44:58,709 involving a large blade of bronze, involving a large blade of bronze,
898 00:44:58,733 00:45:00,276 which is a copper and tin alloy, which is a copper and tin alloy,
899 00:45:00,300 00:45:03,309 rivets holding it together, a bone handle, rivets holding it together, a bone handle,
900 00:45:03,333 00:45:05,476 a band of gold which is holding it all together. a band of gold which is holding it all together.
901 00:45:05,500 00:45:07,309 There's wooden pins involved here as well. There's wooden pins involved here as well.
902 00:45:07,333 00:45:09,043 So this is an object that's not just about So this is an object that's not just about
903 00:45:09,067 00:45:10,043 the metal of the dagger. the metal of the dagger.
904 00:45:10,067 00:45:11,343 It's about so much more than that. It's about so much more than that.
905 00:45:11,367 00:45:15,667 This is a really beautiful, elaborate object. This is a really beautiful, elaborate object.
906 00:45:17,500 00:45:18,743 The sheer rarity of these The sheer rarity of these
907 00:45:18,767 00:45:19,909 in the archaeological record in the archaeological record
908 00:45:19,933 00:45:21,409 suggests that what we're dealing with here suggests that what we're dealing with here
909 00:45:21,433 00:45:23,109 is someone who was very important is someone who was very important
910 00:45:23,133 00:45:25,509 and someone who this dagger, perhaps, and someone who this dagger, perhaps,
911 00:45:25,533 00:45:27,809 was a symbol of their power and symbol of their importance. was a symbol of their power and symbol of their importance.
912 00:45:27,833 00:45:29,743 So it was entirely appropriate that when they died, So it was entirely appropriate that when they died,
913 00:45:29,767 00:45:31,897 that ended up in the grave with them. that ended up in the grave with them.
914 00:45:33,067 00:45:36,509 After the initial discovery, it's back here at the lab After the initial discovery, it's back here at the lab
915 00:45:36,533 00:45:38,643 that most of the work has been done that most of the work has been done
916 00:45:38,667 00:45:42,309 to identify the objects found in the grave. to identify the objects found in the grave.
917 00:45:42,333 00:45:45,843 We found a group of objects that were perhaps in a leather bag, We found a group of objects that were perhaps in a leather bag,
918 00:45:45,867 00:45:49,209 and these include these strange-looking objects here. and these include these strange-looking objects here.
919 00:45:49,233 00:45:51,376 A lump of a metallic substance A lump of a metallic substance
920 00:45:51,400 00:45:54,309 which is iron ore called limonite, a yellow iron ore, which is iron ore called limonite, a yellow iron ore,
921 00:45:54,333 00:45:57,109 and then it's lying on top of this stone tool and then it's lying on top of this stone tool
922 00:45:57,133 00:45:58,743 which is made of flint. which is made of flint.
923 00:45:58,767 00:46:01,509 These objects served a very particular purpose These objects served a very particular purpose
924 00:46:01,533 00:46:03,376 in the Bronze Age. in the Bronze Age.
925 00:46:03,400 00:46:05,109 The combination of these two The combination of these two
926 00:46:05,133 00:46:08,343 suggest that this is probably some kind of fire-making kit. suggest that this is probably some kind of fire-making kit.
927 00:46:08,367 00:46:10,843 A strike-a-ight that maybe was something portable A strike-a-ight that maybe was something portable
928 00:46:10,867 00:46:12,276 that could be carried about. that could be carried about.
929 00:46:12,300 00:46:14,343 And, Kenny, do you think a fire-making kit like this And, Kenny, do you think a fire-making kit like this
930 00:46:14,367 00:46:15,843 would have been something that everybody would have been something that everybody
931 00:46:15,867 00:46:17,176 would have been carrying around would have been carrying around
932 00:46:17,200 00:46:18,909 or just particular special people? or just particular special people?
933 00:46:18,933 00:46:21,376 The balance of probability is that these were objects The balance of probability is that these were objects
934 00:46:21,400 00:46:22,876 associated with powerful people. associated with powerful people.
935 00:46:22,900 00:46:24,309 Perhaps making fire was something Perhaps making fire was something
936 00:46:24,333 00:46:26,176 that powerful people were associated with. that powerful people were associated with.
937 00:46:26,200 00:46:27,509 But we can't rule out the fact But we can't rule out the fact
938 00:46:27,533 00:46:29,576 that these may be everyday objects that these may be everyday objects
939 00:46:29,600 00:46:31,943 that everyone had 'cause everyone needed fire. that everyone had 'cause everyone needed fire.
940 00:46:31,967 00:46:34,543 We know exactly what it was used for, We know exactly what it was used for,
941 00:46:34,567 00:46:38,343 but we're not sure whether that use was a special magical use but we're not sure whether that use was a special magical use
942 00:46:38,367 00:46:40,276 or perhaps whether it's something as ordinary or perhaps whether it's something as ordinary
943 00:46:40,300 00:46:42,343 as a box of matches. as a box of matches.
944 00:46:42,367 00:46:44,809 All we know is that the people burying this person All we know is that the people burying this person
945 00:46:44,833 00:46:47,209 thought he should have it with him in the grave. thought he should have it with him in the grave.
946 00:46:47,233 00:46:48,803 Yes, yeah. Yes, yeah.
947 00:46:54,567 00:46:58,709 But for me, the most exciting finds from this grave But for me, the most exciting finds from this grave
948 00:46:58,733 00:47:02,133 are also the smallest ones. are also the smallest ones.
949 00:47:07,733 00:47:09,373 And there they are. And there they are.
950 00:47:14,300 00:47:16,909 In amongst those objects in the grave, In amongst those objects in the grave,
951 00:47:16,933 00:47:21,933 archaeologists also found these tiny things. archaeologists also found these tiny things.
952 00:47:22,967 00:47:24,597 They're flower heads. They're flower heads.
953 00:47:27,800 00:47:30,676 Now, archaeologists often find pollen in graves, Now, archaeologists often find pollen in graves,
954 00:47:30,700 00:47:33,709 but pollen could get there because it's blown in but pollen could get there because it's blown in
955 00:47:33,733 00:47:37,043 or perhaps arrives in the grave in food and drink or perhaps arrives in the grave in food and drink
956 00:47:37,067 00:47:39,727 that had been placed in there with the body. that had been placed in there with the body.
957 00:47:40,700 00:47:44,709 But here what we have is actual flower heads of meadowsweet. But here what we have is actual flower heads of meadowsweet.
958 00:47:44,733 00:47:48,543 So we know for the first time that Bronze Age people So we know for the first time that Bronze Age people
959 00:47:48,567 00:47:51,443 placed flowers in the graves of their dead, placed flowers in the graves of their dead,
960 00:47:51,467 00:47:54,909 that flowers were part of the Bronze Age funeral ritual that flowers were part of the Bronze Age funeral ritual
961 00:47:54,933 00:47:57,073 just as they are today. just as they are today.
962 00:48:05,600 00:48:07,409 This is a piece of meadowsweet This is a piece of meadowsweet
963 00:48:07,433 00:48:10,043 just waiting to flower in the summer. just waiting to flower in the summer.
964 00:48:10,067 00:48:12,109 So we know that whoever it was So we know that whoever it was
965 00:48:12,133 00:48:14,843 that was interred in that grave at Forteviot, that was interred in that grave at Forteviot,
966 00:48:14,867 00:48:18,143 he was buried there during the summer months. he was buried there during the summer months.
967 00:48:18,167 00:48:21,576 And I just find it amazing that something so ephemeral, And I just find it amazing that something so ephemeral,
968 00:48:21,600 00:48:23,043 those flower heads, those flower heads,
969 00:48:23,067 00:48:26,509 have survived through thousands of years. have survived through thousands of years.
970 00:48:26,533 00:48:28,143 And whilst the physical remains, And whilst the physical remains,
971 00:48:28,167 00:48:31,876 the bones of that person, have long since disappeared, the bones of that person, have long since disappeared,
972 00:48:31,900 00:48:36,476 what we have got is the evidence of this incredibly tender act what we have got is the evidence of this incredibly tender act
973 00:48:36,500 00:48:39,543 of placing flowers in somebody's grave. of placing flowers in somebody's grave.
974 00:48:39,567 00:48:43,109 It's something that gives us a real sense of connection back It's something that gives us a real sense of connection back
975 00:48:43,133 00:48:45,673 to those Bronze Age people. to those Bronze Age people.
976 00:48:48,833 00:48:50,709 In our million-year journey, In our million-year journey,
977 00:48:50,733 00:48:52,809 we've found out that our history we've found out that our history
978 00:48:52,833 00:48:57,709 goes back much further than we ever thought possible. goes back much further than we ever thought possible.
979 00:48:57,733 00:49:02,776 And we've seen that, over time, a complex society emerged And we've seen that, over time, a complex society emerged
980 00:49:02,800 00:49:07,776 in which the foundation stones of our own can be found. in which the foundation stones of our own can be found.
981 00:49:07,800 00:49:11,843 We've discovered a rich culture that has developed We've discovered a rich culture that has developed
982 00:49:11,867 00:49:13,643 since those ice age artists since those ice age artists
983 00:49:13,667 00:49:16,667 first left their mark in the caves. first left their mark in the caves.
984 00:49:18,467 00:49:21,809 And what this journey shows us is that our prehistory And what this journey shows us is that our prehistory
985 00:49:21,833 00:49:24,876 is still a part of who we are today. is still a part of who we are today.
986 00:49:24,900 00:49:28,209 And it's a part of our story that's only revealed And it's a part of our story that's only revealed
987 00:49:28,233 00:49:29,843 with the help of archaeology. with the help of archaeology.
988 00:49:29,867 00:49:32,967 And so the digging continues. And so the digging continues.