Time Team Season 12 Episode 12 Tower Blocks and Togas, South Shields, Tyneside

In the twelfth season of Time Team, the team travels to South Shields, Tyneside to explore the history of the area, particularly the Roman influence and the development of the modern-day tower blocks. In episode 12, titled "Tower Blocks and Togas," the team investigates the relationship between the two seemingly disparate aspects of the town's history.

The team begins by exploring the Roman history of the area, visiting the site of a recently excavated Roman fort and investigating the remains of a nearby bathhouse. They also take a closer look at the ruins of a Roman villa, hoping to uncover new information about the lives of the people who lived there.

Next, the team turns their attention to the modern-day tower blocks that dominate the South Shields skyline. They meet with local residents to learn more about the history of the buildings and to hear about their experiences living in them. They also inspect the buildings themselves, trying to determine how they were constructed and how they have changed over time.

As the episode progresses, the team begins to see connections between the Roman influences and the modern tower blocks. They learn that the materials used to construct the tower blocks were surprisingly similar to those used by the Romans, and that many of the architectural features of the buildings can be traced back to Roman designs. In addition, they discover that the modern-day residents of the tower blocks have actually built their own community, one that mirrors the close-knit social structures of the Roman era.

Throughout the episode, the Time Team's experts use a variety of tools and techniques to help them uncover the hidden history of South Shields. They do a ground-penetrating radar survey of the Roman fort, carefully excavate the remains of the Roman bathhouse and villa, and use drones to get a bird's-eye view of the tower blocks from above.

By the end of the episode, the Time Team has pieced together a new understanding of the history of South Shields, and they have gained a new appreciation for the ways in which the past and present are intertwined. With their characteristic blend of expertise and enthusiasm, the team has once again shed light on the mysteries of Britain's past.