Ep 9. Rome's Wild West

In Time Team season 19 episode 9, titled "Rome's Wild West," the team travels to the countryside of Northumberland in northern England to uncover the remnants of an ancient Roman fort. This fort, known as Vindolanda, was originally built in AD 85 to house infantry troops and was later expanded to include several buildings and a bathhouse.

The Time Team sets out to explore the structures and discover what life was like for the Roman soldiers stationed at Vindolanda. They begin by excavating the bathhouse, where they uncover evidence of sophisticated heating systems, luxurious wall paintings, and intricate mosaics. Using their findings, the team pieces together the layout of the bathhouse and determines how it was used by the soldiers.

Next, the team turns its attention to the barrack blocks, where the soldiers would have lived. As they dig deeper, they discover evidence of a fire that occurred during the fort's occupation, which may have forced the soldiers to abandon the site. The team also uncovers numerous artifacts, including coins, tools, and even a piece of a soldier's leather boot, providing researchers with valuable insights into the daily lives of the Roman soldiers.

In addition to exploring the fort's structures, the team also seeks to uncover what lies beneath the ground outside the fort's walls. Using ground-penetrating radar and other surveying techniques, they detect the outlines of several large pits and ditches, which they believe may have been used for a variety of purposes, such as rubbish disposal or fortification. By analyzing the layers of soil within these features, the team hopes to learn more about the timeline of events at Vindolanda.

Overall, "Rome's Wild West" provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Roman army in northern England. With their usual mix of enthusiasm and expertise, the Time Team uncovers new insights about life at Vindolanda, providing researchers with a wealth of new information about this ancient site.