Ep 4. Anarchy in the UK: Radcot, Oxfordshire
- February 15, 2009
The sixteenth season of the popular archaeological series Time Team takes viewers to the picturesque town of Radcot in Oxfordshire for its fourth episode titled "Anarchy in the UK." The show follows Tony Robinson and his team of experts as they explore the remains of a fortified manor house that played an essential role in the turbulent times of the Anarchy, one of the darkest periods in English history.
The episode begins with Tony Robinson reciting a brief history of the Anarchy, a civil war between two rival claimants to the English throne that lasted from 1135 to 1154. He explains how the conflict resulted in widespread violence and the destruction of many castles and fortifications across the country, including the one in Radcot. Robinson then introduces his team and outlines their mission: to unearth clues about the fortification's design, layout, and usage during the Anarchy, and to discover any artifacts that would shed light on the local inhabitants' lives during that tumultuous time.
The team starts by surveying the site from the air, using drones and other advanced technology to map out the fortification's perimeter and identify any significant features or anomalies. Next, they conduct a geophysical survey, which involves using ground-penetrating radar and other instruments to detect any buried structures or artifacts beneath the surface. The survey results reveal several possible locations of interest, including a suspected guard tower, a fortified entrance, and a moat.
The team then moves on to the excavation phase, which involves digging trenches and carefully sifting through the soil to uncover any artifacts or architectural features. They discover several shards of pottery, animal bones, and other artifacts that suggest the site was occupied during the Anarchy, but they find little evidence of the fortification's specific functions or layout.
As the excavation continues, the team faces several challenges, including heavy rainfall that forces them to cover the trenches and slows down the work, and the unexpected discovery of buried brickwork that may belong to an earlier structure on the site. The team also experiences a setback when a local resident alerts them to the fact that one of their trenches has disturbed a rare species of orchid growing on the site. The team quickly adapts and modifies their excavation techniques to avoid further damage and protect the orchids, exemplifying their commitment to responsible archaeological exploration.
Despite these obstacles, the team perseveres and manages to uncover some exciting findings, including the foundations of a massive wall that suggests the fortification was much larger than previously assumed. They also discover a possible dungeon or cellar that may have housed prisoners or stored supplies during the Anarchy.
Throughout the episode, Tony Robinson and his team provide context for their findings by discussing the historical and social background of the Anarchy and their implications for Radcot's residents. They often speculate about the fortification's original function and the lifestyles of the people who lived there, offering viewers a glimpse into the daily life and struggles of people during that period.
In the end, the team concludes that while they still have many questions about the fortification's design and usage, their discoveries have added a new layer to Radcot's rich and complex history. Tony Robinson and his team capture their passion for uncovering the past and the excitement of discovery, making "Anarchy in the UK" a must-see for anyone interested in history and archaeology.
