Ep 5. The Furnace in the Forest

Time Team season 18 episode 5, titled "The Furnace in the Forest," focuses on the team's investigation of an ironworking site in the heart of Sherwood Forest. The episode opens with the team surveying the area with aerial drones and 3D mapping technology to get a sense of the site's layout before beginning their excavation.

The Furnace in the Forest is one of the most challenging sites in the history of the show because of its remote location. The team has to walk a considerable distance to access the site, and they need to bring all their tools with them as nothing can be left behind.

Before any digging begins, the team consults with local historians and experts to gather information about the site's history and the ironworking process itself. This helps the team to understand the importance of the site and the significance of any artifacts that they might uncover.

Once the team begins their excavation, they quickly encounter a variety of challenges. The dense woodland makes it difficult to get large tools and equipment into the site, and they have to rely on lightweight, portable tools to get the job done. The team also has to contend with inclement weather, which slows down progress and makes working conditions even more challenging.

Despite these challenges, the team makes some exciting discoveries. They uncover the remains of several furnaces, which are crucial in the ironworking process. These furnaces were used to heat iron ore to a high enough temperature to melt it down, and the team's findings shed new light on the process of ironworking in this part of medieval England.

The team also finds evidence of a water management system that would have been used to power the furnace with the help of a waterwheel. The discovery of this system is significant because it gives insights into the technological advancements happening during the medieval period.

Alongside these discoveries, the team finds several other artifacts, including pieces of pottery and metalwork. They also discover several animal bones that give clues about the inhabitants of the area in the past. These artifacts help to build a picture of what life was like for those who worked in the ironworking industry during the medieval period.

As with all episodes of Time Team, The Furnace in the Forest doesn't just focus on the technical aspects of archaeology. Throughout the program, the team takes the time to discuss the historical and cultural significance of their findings. They discuss the impact that the ironworking industry had on the local economy and how it shaped the culture and society of the time.

Overall, The Furnace in the Forest is an engaging and informative episode of Time Team. The challenges of working in a remote location are evident throughout, adding an extra layer of interest to an already fascinating subject. Through their discoveries and discussions, the team brings to life an important part of medieval history and helps to deepen our understanding of the role ironworking played in shaping the world we live in today.