Norfolk Archaeological Trust Appoints Professor Will Bowden as President

The Norfolk Archaeological Trust (NAT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Will Bowden as its new President. 

Professor Bowden brings a wealth of expertise and passion for heritage, with a distinguished career in Roman archaeology and community engagement. 

Currently Professor of Roman Archaeology at the University of Nottingham, Will has led major research projects across Europe and the UK, including extensive work at Caistor St Edmund as part of the Caistor Roman Project. His research has transformed understanding of Roman towns and their development, and he is committed to making archaeology accessible to all.

Speaking about his appointment, Professor Bowden said: “I am honoured to take on the role of President at NAT. Norfolk’s archaeological heritage is extraordinary, and I look forward to working with the Trust and local communities to ensure these sites are protected and celebrated for generations to come.”

Jonathan Sisson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, told That's Books and Entertainment: “Will’s leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue our mission to safeguard Norfolk’s historic sites and share their stories with everyone.”

The Norfolk Archaeological Trust, founded in 1923, owns some of the county’s most iconic historic monuments, including Caistor Roman Town, Burgh Castle Fort, and St Benet’s Abbey. The Trust works closely with local communities to conserve these irreplaceable sites and make them accessible for everyone.

For more information about NAT and its work, visit www.norfarchtrust.org.uk

Time Team returns to Orkney to reveal groundbreaking new discoveries at the Ness of Brodgar

Time Team, the world’s most recognisable archaeological investigation series, has reunited with the Ness of Brodgar research team to unveil a remarkable new chapter in the story of one of Europe’s most important Neolithic sites.

During summer 2024, Time Team filmed the final season of excavation at the Ness of Brodgar - a vast complex of monumental Neolithic buildings set between the iconic Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar in Mainland, Orkney. 

The trenches have now been backfilled, but the investigation did not stop there. In partnership with the Ness team, Time Team carried out a final phase of cutting-edge geophysical survey across the entire site.

For Time Team’s Dr John Gater, it was “like coming home”. Over 20 years ago, his early geophysical work was key to identifying the astonishing settlement that would later captivate the world as the Ness of Brodgar.

This time, the results of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, carried out in collaboration with Guideline Geo and SUMO GeoSurveys, surpassed even the team’s highest hopes.

A major new discovery — “We weren’t expecting that!"

”The survey has revealed the positions of multiple previously unknown Neolithic buildings - some of them monumental in scale - expanding the known footprint of the complex and offering a deeper understanding of its development over five thousand years ago.

But one discovery stood apart.

When Time Team shared the geophysics with the Ness project directors - Nick Card, Professor Mark Edmonds, and Anne Mitchell - their reaction said everything.

“We weren’t expecting that,” said Director Nick Card.

“The new buildings are fascinating,” added Anne Mitchell, “but there’s one feature unlike anything we’ve seen so far.”

“Oh dear,” laughed Mark Edmonds. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have buried my trowel on site.”

The findings have raised the possibility that - even after two decades of excavation - the Ness still holds secrets that require a final, targeted look.

Time Team will join the Ness team in summer 2026 for one more excavation season, culminating in a Time Team special to be broadcast later in 2026.

A partnership two decades in the making

The relationship with Orkney is long-standing, stretching back to A Viking boat burial on Sanday in 1998, the enigmatic Iron Age site at Mine Howe in 2000 and more recently at Swandro on Rousay in 2025. The Ness of Brodgar has been a defining project for modern archaeology, drawing international attention and reshaping our understanding of Neolithic Britain.

Tim Taylor, Creator and Executive Producer of Time Team, told That's Books and Entertainment: “We’ve been privileged to follow the Ness story for over 20 years. To return now - at the end of its excavation phase - and to contribute new discoveries of this scale is extraordinary. The Ness continues to surprise us all.”

Time Team’s recent renaissance, driven by one of the world’s largest global online audiences for archaeology, has enabled the team to reconnect with sites of exceptional importance. Their expansion of the classic three-day format into long-form documentaries - including recent work at Sutton Hoo and major projects across the UK - has brought a new level of depth, analysis, and public engagement to their investigations.

A site of global significance

The Ness of Brodgar lies within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, among the most significant prehistoric landscapes in Europe. 

Tens of thousands of visitors travel to Orkney each summer to witness the excavations before they closed in 2024.

Time Team’s new documentary will share this final chapter - with expert insights, reconstructed models, geophysics visualisations, and exclusive interviews with the Ness of Brodgar team.

What’s next

Time Team’s films will explore:

the final season of excavation at the Ness

the emotional close of two decades of fieldwork

the new geophysical discoveries

what they reveal about life, ritual, and architecture 5,000 years ago

the new month long excavation in 2026

This will be one of the most significant Neolithic investigations Time Team has ever released.

https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/

Incidentally over the years Time Team has published more learned works on archaeological digs than some university archaeology departments!  

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?)

Review of The Stonehenge Enigma

http://thatsbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-book-reveals-startling-new-truth.html

It is an interesting book.

It is NOT a sensationalist book (despite the stupid illustration provided by the publisher to the press) the author is a qualified and practising archaeologist who has made a case for the theory that much of Britain at the time Stonehenge was built was covered in water (as a result of the impact of the Ice Age) he makes a reasonable case for this based on post hole evidence, plus other evidence found -and ignored or just not understood, in the main- by some archaeologists.

He believes that the people of the Stone Age were not the 'ignorant savages' as depicting in some history books, that they had reasonably high level of civilisation. (For which he has some evidence.) And that they were more mobile -by using boats- than might have been thought possible.

To anyone who wonders how it could be that a civilisation's influence could be so totally lost, he points out that within 200 years of the Romans leaving Britain, all of their building knowledge, etc., was lost and that it took a very long time for Britain to regain some of what Rome had. Central heating, for one thing.

There is evidence that they practised medicine and that an early use of part of Stonehenge was for medical treatments. He provides some evidence for this.

He also makes reference to Doggerland and points out that far from the tiny land bridge that some academics still seem to believe in, Britain was once part of mainland Europe, connected by the large landmass now called Doggerland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doggerland

It is an interesting book and worth buying. Even though the author should have employed someone to polish the text a little!