Time Team: The Team's Favorite Digs Season 11 Episode 12 Hunting the Romans in South Shields - Tower Blocks and Togas

Time Team is a British television show that showcases the efforts of a team of archaeologists and historians as they delve into the mysteries of the past. In this season 11, episode 12, the team reminisces about their favorite digs from previous seasons, with a focus on their hunt for the Romans in South Shields. The episode is titled "Hunting the Romans in South Shields - Tower Blocks and Togas."

South Shields is a coastal town in North East England, situated at the mouth of the River Tyne. Its strategic location made it an important military and commercial hub during the Roman occupation of Britain. The Time Team had previously visited the town in season three, where they uncovered evidence of a Roman fort and an extensive civilian settlement. This time around, the team wanted to explore the site further and discover what lay beneath the modern-day tower blocks that now occupied the area.

The episode begins with the team arriving in South Shields, excited to be back in the town they had previously investigated. They meet up with local archaeologist Richard Carlton, who shows them around the area and explains what new discoveries have been made since their last visit. The team then splits up into smaller groups, each with a specific focus.

One team is tasked with investigating the tower blocks themselves, using ground-penetrating radar to map out the foundations and any structures underneath. Another team heads to a nearby field where Roman pottery had been discovered, hoping to find more evidence of the civilian settlement and perhaps even a Roman villa. A third team explores the remains of the fort itself, hoping to uncover more information about the garrison stationed there.

As the teams begin their work, the episode cuts back and forth between them, with the team members explaining their methods and discoveries. They also reminisce about their favorite moments from previous digs, including a military fort in Scotland, a medieval castle in Wales, and a prehistoric burial site in Ireland.

The team investigating the tower blocks eventually discovers that there is indeed a significant Roman structure underneath, perhaps a bathhouse or marketplace. The team exploring the field uncovers several pieces of Roman pottery, as well as the remains of a small villa. The team at the fort discovers evidence of a granary and barracks, and even finds a coin from Emperor Hadrian's reign.

Throughout the episode, the team's passion for archaeology and history shines through. They are genuinely excited by their discoveries, no matter how small, and clearly enjoy working together to uncover the secrets of the past. The episode also highlights the importance of preserving archaeological sites and the need for ongoing research to fully understand the history of our world.

In the end, the team packs up their equipment and bids farewell to South Shields, satisfied with the progress they made during their brief visit. The episode concludes with a montage of their previous digs and a heartfelt thank you to their viewers for joining them on their journey through time. Overall, "Hunting the Romans in South Shields - Tower Blocks and Togas" is a fascinating look at the work of archaeologists and the importance of understanding our history.