Ep 2. The Romans Panic, Lincolnshire

Time Team season 9 episode 2, titled "The Romans Panic, Lincolnshire," takes the team to the small village of Donington on Bain in Lincolnshire, where they investigate a Roman site thought to have been occupied for over 200 years. The site was once home to a Roman fort, which was built to protect the important road that ran from London to York. The fort was abandoned in the early 3rd century AD, and the remains of the structures were later used to build a Saxon settlement on the same site.

The team is led by Tony Robinson, who is joined by archaeologists Phil Harding, Mick Aston, and Carenza Lewis, as well as a team of experts and volunteers. They begin by conducting a geophysical survey of the site, using ground-penetrating radar and magnetometry to search for any buried structures or objects. The survey reveals the presence of several structures, including a possible bathhouse and a large circular feature that could be a well or a burial monument.

Next, the team begins excavating the site, starting with the bathhouse. They find evidence of several phases of construction, and a number of artifacts, including coins, pottery, and a bronze figurine, which suggest that the bathhouse was in use for a considerable period of time. They also find evidence of a heated Roman plunge pool, which was used for hot and cold treatments.

As the team continues excavating the site, they begin to uncover evidence of a possible Roman panic. They find a large number of coins scattered across the site, as well as a hoard of coins buried in a pit. These coins date from the late 3rd and early 4th centuries AD, around the time when the Roman army was withdrawing from Britain. The team speculates that the coins may have been buried by a Roman garrison stationed at the fort, who were worried about an attack by local tribes.

The team also uncovers evidence of a Saxon settlement on top of the Roman fort. They find the remains of several timber buildings, including a large hall, as well as evidence of craft activities such as pottery making and metalworking. This suggests that the site was used for a considerable period of time after the Roman abandonment.

Overall, "The Romans Panic, Lincolnshire" offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of a Roman fort and its later reuse by the Saxons. The team's discoveries shed light on the lives of the people who lived and worked at the site over thousands of years, and provide new insights into the Roman period in Britain.