Ep 3. The Wedding Present: Scargill, County Durham

The Wedding Present: Scargill, County Durham Time Team season 16 episode 3

In this episode of Time Team, the team heads to Scargill in County Durham to explore a Roman fort known as Vinovia. The site is located on land that was once owned by miners, and the team hopes to uncover more about the fort's history during their excavation.

The team starts by investigating a large trench that was dug in the 1970s by local archaeologists. They discover that the trench was actually too large, which could have led to significant damage to the site during the previous excavation. The team then sets out to create smaller, more precise trenches in order to minimize any further damage to the site.

During their excavation, the team uncovers several interesting finds, including a coin from the reign of Emperor Hadrian and the remains of a large military bread oven. They also discover an unusual feature in the fort's rampart, which could point to a unique defensive tactic used by the Romans.

Meanwhile, the team takes a break from their excavation to attend a local wedding. The bride and groom are both former miners and have chosen to hold their reception in the village hall, which is located next to the excavation site. The team takes a break from their work to join in the celebrations and learn more about the history of the community.

As the excavation continues, the team uncovers more evidence of the fort's history, including a possible latrine and a well-preserved section of wall. They also find evidence of trading occurring at the site, which could have helped to sustain the military community stationed there.

Towards the end of the episode, the team reflects on their time at Scargill and what they have uncovered during their excavation. They note that the site has been largely neglected in the years since its initial excavation, and hope that their work has helped to shed new light on the fort's history. They also express gratitude for the opportunity to attend the local wedding, which helped them to gain a greater understanding of the community they were working in.

Overall, The Wedding Present: Scargill, County Durham is an engaging and informative episode of Time Team that showcases the team's ability to uncover fascinating details about the past through their excavation work.