Time Team Season 11 Episode 12 Back-Garden Archaeology Revisiting a Roman Villa, Ipswich

In season 11 episode 12 of the popular UK television show Time Team, the team of archaeologists head to Ipswich to revisit a Roman villa that was discovered in a back garden several years before. The team consists of Tony Robinson, a presenter and historian, archaeologist Phil Harding, geophysicist John Gater, and historian Cassie Newland, among others.

The episode begins with an introduction to the Roman villa that was first discovered by a couple who were digging a pond in their back garden. The villa, believed to have been built in the 4th century AD, was once a grand residence with several rooms and a bathhouse. The owners of the house had turned the area into a thriving market garden when the villa was discovered, and the discovery led to a major excavation by the local archaeology group.

The Time Team arrives on site with high hopes for new discoveries, armed with their usual arsenal of high-tech equipment and cutting-edge techniques. They begin with a geophysical survey of the site using ground-penetrating radar, which reveals a complex mosaic of features just beneath the surface.

Excavations begin in earnest, and the Time Team quickly discovers evidence of a previously unknown building on the site. They suspect that this building may have been a granary, and set about uncovering its secrets.

As the team digs deeper, they uncover more and more evidence of the villa's past, including a beautiful mosaic floor that had been covered up by the previous excavation team. The mosaic is painstakingly cleaned and restored, revealing a stunning piece of ancient artwork that had long been hidden away.

Despite the challenges they face, including severe weather conditions and a tight deadline, the Time Team is able to piece together a much more complete picture of the Roman villa than had ever been possible before. Their discoveries shed new light on life in Roman Britain and the sophisticated and cosmopolitan culture that flourished there.

The episode concludes with a look back at the highlights of the excavation and the many extraordinary finds that were made. With their characteristic mix of humor, insight, and expertise, the Time Team once again proves why they are one of the most popular and beloved archaeological groups in the world today.