Time Team Season 12 Episode 8 Picts and Hermits: Cave Dwellers of Fife

In Time Team season 12 episode 8, entitled "Picts and Hermits: Cave Dwellers of Fife," the team heads to Scotland to investigate the caves of Fife. These caves have been used by humans for thousands of years, from the ancient Picts to medieval Christian hermits.

The team starts digging in the first cave, where they find evidence of both Pictish and Christian use. They discover a stone slab with a Pictish symbol carved into it, as well as Christian crosses etched into the walls. Nearby, they find a well-preserved latrine that confirms people were living in the cave for extended periods. The team also uncovers a midden, or trash pile, which reveals what the cave dwellers were eating and what animals they kept.

Moving on to the second cave, the team focuses on a small, hidden chamber that is only accessible by crawling through a narrow passage. Inside, they find evidence of Christian use, including a possible altar and a stone basin thought to have been used for baptisms. The team also uncover remains of a small fire, suggesting that the chamber was used for spiritual purposes.

The third cave proves to be the most exciting. The team discovers a mysterious carving of a face on the wall, which they speculate could be either Pictish or early Christian. They also uncover a small stone room that appears to have been used as a hermit's cell. The team believes that a hermit, seeking solitude and spiritual growth, could have lived in the cell for months at a time.

Throughout their dig, the team consults with experts in Pictish history and Christian hermitism to gain insight into the lives of the people who lived in the caves. They also use cutting-edge technology, such as 3D imaging and carbon dating, to better understand the artifacts they uncover.

As they work, the team faces challenges, including tight spaces, unstable rock formations, and unpredictable weather. However, their perseverance pays off as they make exciting discoveries that shed light on the thousands of years of human history hidden in the caves of Fife.

Overall, "Picts and Hermits: Cave Dwellers of Fife" is an intriguing and educational episode of Time Team. Through their expert digging and historical research, the team uncovers fascinating insights into the lives of the people who lived in the caves, from Pictish warriors to Christian hermits seeking spiritual enlightenment.