Professor Alice Roberts and her team of archaeologists are once again unearthing Britain’s hidden history in the 12th season of “Digging for Britain.” This season’s first episode explores a diverse range of sites across the East of Britain, from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery filled with weapons and riches to a Roman villa with a surprising equine burial.
In Kent, the team uncovers an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, a treasure trove of well-preserved artifacts that offers a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of those who lived there. The discovery of a complete sword is a particularly notable find, adding another piece to the complex jigsaw puzzle of Anglo-Saxon history.
Meanwhile, at the Sizewell-C nuclear power station construction site in Suffolk, a curious lump of lead reveals its secrets. Inside, the team finds a collection of early medieval silver coins, a find that raises questions about the circumstances surrounding their burial. What events led to such a hoard being hidden away, and what stories do these coins tell?
Further north, in Norfolk, the excavation of a Roman villa yields an unexpected discovery: the full military horse-burial of what may have been a retired Roman veteran. The find is a reminder of the complex relationship between the Roman occupiers and the local Iceni population.
“Digging for Britain” reminds us that history is not just found in textbooks. It’s under our feet, waiting to be unearthed.
“Digging for Britain” airs Tuesday 7 January 2025 at 8:00 pm on BBC Two.
