Time Team Special: Digging the Band of Brothers to premiere worldwide on YouTube

The special feature-length documentary starring Sir Tony Robinson commemorates 80 years since the legendary Easy Company were stationed in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England ahead of D-Day.

The first brand new Time Team Special featuring Sir Tony Robinson will premiered Saturday 30th September 2023 at 7pm (BST) on the Time Team Official YouTube channel. 

The eagerly anticipated documentary sees Time Team working with Operation Nightingale in an English village linked to the United States Army’s most famous regiment of the Second World War – the legendary ‘Band of Brothers’.

Aldbourne, Wiltshire, was once home to the iconic Easy Company of the US 101st Airborne Division. The paratroopers were stationed there in 1943, before engaging in pivotal actions of World War II – among them Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.

80 years later, in May 2023, Time Team visited to explore the traces they left behind through an archaeological investigation. The excavation was spearheaded by Operation Nightingale, a Ministry of Defence initiative that uses archaeology to support the recovery of servicemen and women returning from conflict.

Time Team’s creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, says: “What a thrill to join forces once again with Operation Nightingale.” The initiative’s co-founder, Richard Osgood, MBE, says: “We’ve made some fantastic discoveries together in Aldbourne, while continuing our efforts to assist military veterans with the power of archaeology.” Tony Robinson says: “It’s wonderful to be back out in the field with Time Team again, and what a project to kick things off!”

To celebrate the release, Time Team has partnered with Warner Hotels for a very special competition. The prize includes a luxurious 3-night stay at Littlecote House, a grand Tudor mansion near Aldbourne, with a stunning Roman mosaic in the grounds. Littlecote was the headquarters of the 101st Airborne during the war, and is where Tony Robinson filmed several scenes for the new episode.

Since returning to screens, Time Team has investigated sites including a Knights Hospitaller preceptory, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and a Roman sarcophagus. The episodes are possible thanks to thousands of fans worldwide, on the online membership platform, Patreon. With over 9,000 current members, Time Team has set a goal of 10,000 ongoing members in order to develop more episodes.

Tim Taylor says: “We can’t wait to share our new Time Team Special with you, and investigate more historic sites together!”

Time Team membership on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TimeTeamOfficial

Time Team Classics: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimeTeamClassics

Time Team Official: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimeTeamOfficial

Operation Nightingale: https://www.facebook.com/operationnightingale/

Time Team is an archaeology TV series, created by Series Producer, Tim Taylor. First airing back in 1994 on the UK’s Channel 4, it quickly became a Sunday teatime staple. Today, the show is watched by millions on YouTube in over 140 countries all over the world.

Originally presented by Sir Tony Robinson, Time Team made household names of archaeologists including the late Mick Aston, Phil Harding and Carenza Lewis. Across 20 series, Time Team investigated over 220 sites, including iconic landmarks Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Westminster Abbey. At its height, Time Team was one of the UK’s largest independent funders of archaeology, and the series is credited with boosting the popularity of archaeology in Britain.

Time Team relaunched independently in 2020 with the support of thousands of fans worldwide on the platform Patreon. In July 2023, Time Team unveiled plans to cement its position as the prime location for archaeological programming and discoveries. With over 9,000 current Patreon subscribers, Time Team has set a new goal of 10,000 ongoing members, in order to develop more sites.

New episodes hosted by Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE are available on the Time Team Official YouTube channel, with over 180,000 subscribers and 13 million views. Meanwhile, Tony has returned to present new ‘Specials’, beginning with the first documentary, ‘Digging Band of Brothers’ alongside Operation Nightingale.

Classic Specials are now being released, one every month, on the Time Team Official YouTube channel and Patreon. Vintage episodes from Series 12 to 18 are available on the Time Team Classics YouTube channel, which has over 254,000 subscribers across the globe.

About Operation Nightingale:-

Operation Nightingale is a Ministry of Defence initiative to assist the recovery of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans by getting them involved in archaeological investigations.

Happy Birthday, Time Team! Time Team is celebrating its 30th birthday with new dig investigating an Iron Age complex near Corfe Castle, Dorset

Time Team is celebrating its 30th birthday with new dig investigating an Iron Age complex near Corfe Castle, Dorset.

The British archaeology programme, Time Team is heading out into the field again for another of its ever-popular traditional three-day dig this weekend (15th to 17th September). 

The incredible site, absolutely brimming with archaeology, was put forward by Time Team’s own Dr Derek Pitman and Dr Lawrence Shaw. Working together with Harry Manley of Bournemouth University, a single test trench uncovered over 1,000 years of history, bridging the transition from the Iron Age into Roman Britain.

During the Iron Age, some 2,000 years ago, the area was home to the Durotriges tribe, and this site offers excellent opportunities to investigate how they lived and how they died. 

Early evidence indicates industrial activity, several phases of settlement and even burials, which is an extremely rare find for this period in British history.

The site is a stone’s throw from Poole’s ancient industrial harbour at Green Island, the subject of a previous investigation by Time Team, nearly 20 years ago. This new excavation seeks to explore possible links between the harbour, and this site, which sits just inland and is in a strategic position within the landscape.

Dr Derek Pitman says: “As a Dorset boy, I’m thrilled to welcome Time Team to my turf, for what looks to be an incredible weekend. I’ve honestly never seen so much archaeology in a single trench before, and we think this is just the tip of something even bigger. I believe we’re all in for a real treat!”

The excavation coincides with the 30th anniversary of filming Time Team’s first episode, back in 1993, which aired the following year. 

Time Team’s creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, says: “We couldn’t hope for a better site to celebrate three decades of Time Team. I still can’t believe it’s been that long, but here’s to the next 30 years!”

Many familiar faces are returning, including presenter Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Prof Carenza Lewis, Dr John Gater, Prof Stewart Ainsworth and Dr Helen Geake. Guests for the weekend include old Time Team friends, Dr Philippa Walton and Dr Miles Russell.

Throughout the dig, subscribers to the Patreon account will enjoy exclusive daily updates, direct from the site via ‘Dig Watch’. These include site tours, Q&As with the team and production insights from the crew. The completed episode will premiere worldwide on YouTube at a later date (to be confirmed).

Tim Taylor says: “It’s thanks to our wonderful Patreon members across the globe that Time Team can investigate fascinating sites like this. I can’t wait to see what comes up in Dig Watch!”

Join Time Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TimeTeamOfficial

Time Team Classics: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimeTeamClassics

Time Team Official: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimeTeamOfficial

(EDITOR: If you are looking for the ideal Christmas present for the Time Team lover in your life, why not gift them a subscription?)