Can you dig it? (Time Team)

Member Name: BizzyB

Product:	Time Team
Date:	03/09/01 (1430 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Educational without being heavy, Skeletons

Disadvantages: Can be dull

Oh dear, that title is so appalling I fear I'll be sent to stand in the corner with a dunce's cap on. Well my only excuse is a weekend of sugar overload.

I thought I'd have a wander over to the television section, which I rarely visit and produce one of those oh so annoying, three star, on the fence opinions.

Today Dooyoo Jury I present you with the case of Time Team. For those of you who only watch Channel 4 after 10pm (you know who you are and why) Time Team is one of those strange television phenomena's. I mean imagine it.

A group of television produces, possibly a little tipsy after a 'business lunch' sit around brainstorming new ideas for television shows.

"I know" says one, "We'll make a programme about archeologists and to make it more exciting we'll only let them have a spade for three days."

No doubt there were calls to call it Ready, Steady, Dig or Archeologists! with one of those over-sized exclamation marks but the idea was sold to Channel 4 and so the rather sensible name of Time Team is what we have.

The principle of Time Team is rather simple. A group of archeologists have three days to perform a dig. Now having read other opinions in this sections by people better versed in archeology than me I can understand why purists find it somewhat galling. And I'm afraid I'm not at all surprised that the background to these digs may not be as idyllic as they seem on screen because I think as we all know, life goes through an amazing reality sieve before hitting any television screen.

What I will say, and not necessarily in Time Teams defence, is that it was created I'm afraid for the likes of me. I have a smattering of historical knowledge but a keen interest. Personally my own intense interest lies in the above ground archeology of buildings but this leads me to a natural curiosity into what secrets the earth holds. Howe
ver, I don't have that academic knowledge nor their patience to take in archeology at its full. Like Eddie Izzard in one of his routines, I'm afraid when it comes to television I want speed archeology. "Dig it up and show me now"- I should be thoroughly ashamed of myself I know but I am not alone and I have no doubt we are the market the show is targeting.

And even so the greatest criticism of the show you will hear is summed up in one word - dull. As viewers we have been spoilt by some gripping documentaries since the advent of television. Documentaries on the spectacular findings of Egypt, Italy and Rome, Ice Mummies and Peat Bog men make us greedy consumers. Yet it is hardly surprising that Time Team don't turn up such marvels each week as such finds are rare, the result of years of intricate work and study and rarely found at the bottom of the garden in Southport.
The layout of this one hour show shown on Channel 4 on Sunday evenings, is a rather simple video diary format. A central group of archeologists led by the knitwear challenged Prof. Mick Aston lead a group of diggers in a three day excavation which can be to investigate anything from a Saxon settlement to a Victorian garden. As enigmatic as the archeologists are they are glued together with a media professional and self-confessed archeology nut, Tony 'Baldrick' Robinson.

It may be the editing of the show, but Prof. Mick Aston never seems to have a trowel in his hand, maybe this is because he doesn't want to get his technicoloured jumpers mucky but he is an excellent speaker and quick to rein in the often over excitable Tony Robinson. Prof. Aston certainly doesn't suffer from lecturer lingo disease - the ability to say an entire sentence without a word I know the meaning of. As a plus point for the show, lets give Prof. Aston a plain English award.

As I mentioned Tony Robinson is prone to bouts of over excitement. As othe
rs stand around discussing the day he is running all over the place, arms waving "And the building would end here" before sprinting to the other side of the field, "And the courtyard would be here". Well I suppose you must admire his energy but it may be less distracting to the viewer if he learnt the art of pointing.

The other main players are Carenza Lewis and the more than distinctive Phil Harding with his trademark hat, sideburns and shorts. Phil has what I think is bordering on the unhealthy, obsession with flint but both he and Carenza, like Mick Aston, are very capable on camera and appear at the 'coalface' of the digging with trowels in hand. Stewart Ainsworth and John Gater are the two regular Geophys and survey men who use all manner of high tech gadgetry to find anomalies and features in the ground though they often can't beat the old-fashioned lying flat on the ground to spot bumps - another feature that gets them excited. I believe Victor Ambrus can speak but this is a rarity as his power is with the pencil. Victor is the resident artist who provides impressions of what the area would have looked like in the time they are investigating and impressive his offerings are to those of us who's imagination needs spurring. And then there is Robin Bush, the resident historian who's research techniques lead him to investigate some truly fascinating ancient manuscripts. Many other regular faces pop up (often bearded faces it has to be said) and often specialists are brought in to discuss certain aspects.

So we have our cast, they have their tools, land is surveyed, holes are dug and with any luck discoveries are found. Without doubt the quality of the finds are of great importance to the archeologists, and I can understand why those archeologists watching may be dismayed as they think not enough time and care is being taken. But to the casual viewer it is often the case that the its hard to get
so enthralled by a piece of pot. As Tony rushes to trench 3 proclaiming Carenza's found a pot I know you like me want a pot, a big pot, an intact pot and we get a chipping, we gaze on wondering how they knew it was the giant urn they proclaim. Every week I am a little in awe of what they know. 'Look at this' they shout excitedly 'you can see we've had a wall here and a post there and a riverbank?.". And I feel ignorant as all I can see is a big pile of soil. Ah well, if they say it's a wall. .. They did once uncover a spectacular and well preserved Roman mosaic floor. 'Hurrah' I shouted, even I could recognize that, and an impressive and mesmerizing sight it was too.

In truth the finds of the series are rarely the highlight for me as a viewer. It is the description by the team and the computer aided graphics or Victor's drawings that bring it into perspective for me and the production team know this. The use of computer graphics, overlays etc is widely used and makes it much easier to put the site and its significance into context. Knowing this to be the case the production team also endeavor to bring us more accessible learning and each week there is a demonstration of skills from the past. We have seen Tudor cooking, flint knapping (ask Phil), brewing, pottery, stained glass windows and these are graphic representations of our ancestors great capabilities. It is these extras that keep the viewers attention when the actual dig is dull to the untrained eye but on a number of occasions even these interludes aren't enough to stop the interest waning.

A recent concept of the Time Team is the live three day dig. These digs have broadcasts throughout the day over a three day period, often bank holidays. They play on that increased sense of being against the clock. And it is obvious they know what will bring the average viewer in. We want bones, we want skeletons. Enough of bits of pot and
a flint spearhead, there is something undeniably fascinating about the unearthing of skeletons.

On saying that many people find the disturbance of burial sites etc distasteful and immoral. Now I can see the argument in this yet my hideously gruesome and nosey character takes over. On saying that I respect the concerns who do not think it right especially when it is seen as disrespectful by groups who do not want to see their ancestors disturbed from what may be sacred ground. In the most recent Time Team live which unearthed a Saxon burial ground Tony Robinson was keen to point out the routine around such digs and the need for both home office permission and the sensitivity in treating the remains. In a past series they excavated the grave a woman and after their research showed how she received a full burial which is an area of archeology I believe makes for an interesting and necessary discussion.

The Time live events are aimed at increasing viewer interaction and one of the main ways is via their website www.channel4.com/plus/timeteam/ is well worth visiting for the full lowdown on the show. Easy to navigate and nicely laid out there is everything you could want as background information including biographies of the team, background to the digs on all the series, a forum, links, Time Team live information, competitions and webchats.

For those with more than a passing interest in Time Team there is the Time Team Club, full details at the website. The club offers a newsletter, exclusive competitions and events. Personally I am not that much of a devotee to join the club though I know people who have and are pleased with their lot. I will try to encourage them to write about the experience on dooyoo!. The cost is:
Single membership £18.50
Joint membership £22.50
Family membership £25.00
Junior membership £6.50

More information is available from
Time Team Club,
PO Box 7000,
Cardiff

CF5 2YU
tel: 0870 544 6699
e-mail: timeteamclub@bss.org


I can certainly understand the production of associated merchandise and books but must admit to thinking the Time Team Live phoneline was a rather cynical money making scheme.

I would say I dip in and out of Time Team. Without doubt I have learnt a lot from it, damn television that subtly educates me! It has given me an insight into a huge span of British history. It is one of those borderline interests that has my attention though I will say I enjoy the more in-depth documentaries on the world's more 'exciting' (well from my viewpoint) archeological sites. I do feel that Time Team is maybe coming to the end of its lifespan and its made for television format is perhaps out of date and maybe it needs to involve into a more sophisticated and in-depth style and continuing to develop its links with the viewers through the internet.

Give it a go but don't expect them to uncover treasures to rival the tombs of Egypt, you'll get a brooch at best but maybe that's what we need to learn in relation to history - a little bit of restraint and quiet awe :o)

Summary: