Shoot two navigation
To avoid spoiling the plot on key parts of the programme, Onsite can only give you a sneak preview from behind the scenes, but after a conference with Mel Morpeth, the director of this particular shoot, we can let you know a few details about the archaeological background of this northern town and why we’re here.
‘Time Team are actually digging the remains of a Roman fort,’ says Mel. ‘This place is in an important strategic position and one of the main roads that runs through the town would have been the equivalent of the M1 motorway in the Roman period, leading from south to north. One of the things we’re trying to do is tie in the previous work done here and establish the original plan of the settlement. That’s about all I’m willing to give away at the moment.’
Have a look at the Background page for some information on Roman forts.
Trench Two is forging ahead with Jenni Butterworth at the helm. Meanwhile Geofizz is on the other side of town surveying an area before the Team can start Trench Three. The point of this is to try to establish the position of the road while the other trenches clarify the situation in the town.
There are various problems that come with digging in an urban environment. Even though this town only has development from the Victorian period onwards, there are all sorts of things to look out for. The main problems are services such as electricity, gas and sewerage. As Roman specialist Guy de la Bedoyere says: ‘In an urban environment you have to dig where you can, and not where you want to.’
A special guest has arrived to discover what Time Team is all about -- six-year-old Lewis Watson, who lives not too far away. He found a Roman brooch in his back garden that attracted the attention of Time Team. ‘I liked meeting Tony and I’ve been introduced to Mick. Time Team is alright,’ says Lewis. Researcher Ben Dempsey will be showing Lewis around Time Team for the rest of the day and introducing him to the rest of the crew.
With the opportunities available to the Team the prospects are good and by lunch time of day two everybody is happy.
