Alice Roberts is back, trowel in hand, for another episode of Digging for Britain. This time, she’s crisscrossing the country, examining everything from the well-trodden paths of Oliver Cromwell’s era to the shadowy corners of Pictish kingdoms. While some might find history a bit dusty, Roberts manages to make the past feel surprisingly relevant. This episode, in particular, offers a blend of familiar historical ground and fresh discoveries.
Auckland Palace in County Durham, once a hub of activity during Cromwell’s Commonwealth, is now the site of a massive archaeological dig involving over 100 students. Roberts joins the team, sifting through the dirt and the historical implications. Meanwhile, in Millom, Cumbria, a community dig near a ruined medieval castle has hit the jackpot: the largest collection of medieval pottery ever found in the region. It’s enough to make even the most jaded archaeologist crack a smile.
Moving south to Castleford, the construction of new housing has inadvertently unearthed pieces of Roman coin molds. These fragments offer a glimpse into the daily lives of Roman inhabitants, a reminder that history often lurks beneath the most mundane modern developments. But it’s the discovery of a Pictish stone in Kilmadock, Scotland that may prove to be the most significant find. This stone, adorned with both Pictish symbols and a Christian cross, has historians scratching their heads. It even includes a rare Ogham inscription, adding further mystery to the Pictish Kingdoms.
And for those who remember the Poulton farm in Cheshire, featured in 2018, the site continues to give up its secrets. Nearly 1,000 skeletons found at the farm are undergoing DNA analysis at the Francis Crick Institute in London, revealing new information about the individuals buried in the 13th-century chapel and graveyard.
Digging for Britain airs Tuesday 14 January at 8pm on BBC Two.
