Time Team Season 10 Episode 12 A View to a Kiln, Sedgefield
- May 9, 2009
A View to a Kiln, Sedgefield is the twelfth episode of the tenth season of the popular archaeological documentary series, Time Team. The episode opens with presenter Tony Robinson descending into a hole in the ground, where he finds himself standing in front of what appears to be a large, circular structure made of stacked stones. As he looks around, he is surrounded by a wide, shallow ditch, which he immediately assumes is the remains of a kiln or firing pit.
With the rest of the Time Team arriving on site, Tony explains that their mission is to try and establish exactly what this structure was used for, and to discover more about the people who built and used it. To begin with, the team sets about excavating the ditch, working in teams to carefully remove soil, stones and other debris. As they do so, they start to uncover more and more evidence of the structure's function, including fragments of pottery, burned wood and other materials that suggest that this was not simply a kiln, but perhaps a larger and more complex structure designed to produce and store a variety of goods.
As the excavation progresses, the team begins to find some more intriguing evidence, including a number of small objects that seem to have been deliberately buried or placed inside the structure. Among these are several curious circular objects that the team cannot immediately identify, as well as a variety of other tools, stones and fragments of bone and animal remains.
Fueled by their discoveries, the Time Team sets about exploring the area around the structure, using a variety of techniques including geophysics, metal detecting and other forms of surveying. As they do so, they quickly begin to piece together a picture of a large and complex site that was once a central hub of activity for the local community. From the discovery of a possible bridge or causeway, to the finding of several small huts and enclosures, the team starts to build up a detailed picture of what life here might have been like in the past.
As the week progresses, the team continues to discover more and more mysteries about the site, including a strange circular feature that could be a burial mound or monument, and several possible pits or wells that could hold even more clues about the lives of the people who once lived here.
In the final stages of the episode, the team comes together to discuss their findings and speculate on what they have learned from their time at the site. With some important questions still unanswered, they concede that they may never know exactly what the structure was used for, but they take away a wealth of information that helps deepen our understanding of the past.
Overall, A View to a Kiln, Sedgefield is an engaging and informative episode that showcases the best of what Time Team has to offer, from its fascinating archaeological insights to its engaging and informative presentation. Fans of the show are sure to appreciate this episode, while newcomers to the series may find it a great starting point for exploring the wonders of the past.