Time Team Season 8 Episode 8 The Bone Cave, Alveston, Gloucestershire

In Time Team season 8 episode 8, titled "The Bone Cave, Alveston, Gloucestershire," the Time Team travels to the small Gloucestershire village of Alveston to investigate a mysterious cave. Local residents have reported finding animal bones in the cave, but no one knows how they got there or what purpose the cave might have served.

As always, the Time Team begins by conducting a sweep of the area with metal detectors to see if they can find any artifacts. They discover several coins, including one that dates back to the Roman era, which suggests that the cave may have been used during that time.

Next, the team excavates the cave, which is a tricky process due to the narrow entrance and the limited amount of space inside. They discover several pits that appear to have been used for ritualistic purposes, and they also find evidence of animal sacrifice, which was common during the Roman period.

However, the most significant discovery comes when the team begins to examine the bones found in the cave. They discover that not all of the bones are from animals – some are human remains. This raises some disturbing questions about the purpose of the cave and what might have happened there.

In order to learn more, the team uses carbon dating to examine the human remains and determine when they date back to. They also consult with local historians and archaeologists to learn more about the history of the area.

Through their investigations, the team learns that the cave was likely used for Druidic rituals during the Roman period. They also discover evidence of a massacre that occurred in the area during the Saxon period. It's possible that the human remains found in the cave are victims of that massacre.

Overall, "The Bone Cave, Alveston, Gloucestershire" is a gripping episode of Time Team that delves into a little-known part of British history. Through their careful excavations and analysis, the team is able to shed light on a mysterious cave and uncover important clues about the past.