Time Team

The origins of human language have always been mysterious. There have been lots of ideas, but very little evidence, and the arguments within the anthropology, sociology and linguistics worlds have been furious. So far there’s been little use of archaeological evidence, but a new book has drawn us into the debate too. In The Revolutionary Origins of Language, UCL anthropologists Chris Knight and Jerome Lewis argue that language didn’t emerge simply because our brains got bigger or our ancestors developed better voices. Instead, they suggest, it grew out of something much more social: cooperation, trust, ritual and the power of people to stand together. So how does archaeology provide evidence for ritual, social co-operation and therefore language? In this podcast Helen Geake and Martyn Williams speak to the book’s authors to find out.

The Revolutionary Origins of Language is available to buy now in the Time Team shop. You can find it at https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/books/products/the-revolutionary-origins-of-language-chris-knight-jerome-lewis

For more from Time Team, including ad-free and bonus episodes of this podcast, Dig Watch updates from excavations, 3D models and so much more, consider becoming a Time Team member. Your support allows us to carry out archaeology up and down the country and continue to make episodes of the programmes. Go to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more information.

Helen Geake and Martyn Williams reminisce about their time at Sutton Hoo as we publish our films about Time Team's 2025 season of digging at the Anglo-Saxon burial site. Angus Wainwright from the National Trust gives you an idea of what you can expect from upcoming episodes.
You'll also meet Tim Fletcher from Geoscope. He's the lead archaeologist on a project that's been sifting through peat in West Yorkshire in an attempt to discover the final resting place of 22-year-old Cpl Clarence Watson. His body was never recovered after the American B24H bomber he was in crashed on Twizle Head Moss near Holmfirth in 1942.
Helen's particularly excited to introduce you to Tasha Fullbrook, a PhD researcher at The University of Reading. She's been working on a unique category of Roman coins and her work could change our understanding of how the Romans used money.
There's also an interview with Time Team's creator, Tim Taylor MBE. He explains how the Dig Village book helps village communities uncover their own archaeology. The book's now available to buy in the Time Team Shop at https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/.

Becoming a Time Team member is a great way to support the archaeology we do up and down the country. You'll also get access to ad-free and bonus episodes of the podcast, as well as 3D models, masterclasses and episodes of Dig Watch which take you to the very heart of a trench as an excavation is unfolding. To find out more visit patreon.com/timeteamofficial and get your first 7 days free.

Helen Geake and Martyn Williams host a special live edition of the Time Team podcast from Southside Arts Centre in Lincoln where Time Team has been carrying out a three day dig.
People in the audience are invited to put their questions to Prof. Carenza Lewis, Dr Samantha Tipper, Matt Williams and Helen as they learn more about the archaeological dig happening just a stone's throw away.
Geophysics whizz Jimmy Adcock and osteoarchaeologist Jackie McKinley are also on hand to offer their expertise.

Time Team members received discounted entry to the event, which was recorded at the end of day two of the three-day dig. Members also get access to loads more from Time Team including Dig Watch episodes which take you to the heart of the excavation. We're so grateful for the supports are members give us. You can join our archaeology community by visiting patreon.com/timeteamofficial.

Next week the podcast will be learning more about Sutton Hoo. After a month of digging in the summer of 2025 the films are finally out on YouTube and ad-free on Patreon.

Time Team archaeologists have been in Lincoln looking for a medieval leprosy hospital. Helen Geake and Martyn Williams are on site to find out more. We take you behind the scenes as the three day dig takes place. Featuring interviews with Sir Tony Robinson, Carenza Lewis, Stewart Ainsworth and John Gater.

Don't forget to listen to our bonus podcast, available exclusively to Time Team members on Patreon. You'll hear from more experts, plus Helen answers questions from Time Team members. Joining our community of Time Team members gives you access to so much more; from masterclasses and 3D models to the chance to come and dig with us on site. Your support allows us to undertake archaeology up and down the country. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more information.

Helen Geake and Martyn Williams speak to archaeologist Richard Hingley. He's Emeritus Professor of Roman Archaeology at Durham and author of ‘Roman Britain in Twenty Towns: A Visitor's Guide’.
The new book looks at looks at a world of power and wealth, trade and religion, slavery, colonialism and resistance, all through 20 specially-selected locations.

You can get a copy of the book through the Time Team shop at the following link:
https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/products/roman-britain-in-twenty-towns-a-visitors-guide-paperback-richard-hingley?_pos=1&_sid=c8e2a8736&_ss=r

Become a Time Team member to get even more from Time Team. Your support directly funds archaeological digs up and down the country. It also gets you access to behind the scenes videos, ad-free and bonus podcast episodes, masterclasses, 3D models and the chance to dig with us on site. Visit patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more information.

With Time Team's next three day dig happening in Lincoln from Friday, Helen and Martyn speak to Time Team's Prof Carenza Lewis and Dr Samantha Tipper from Anglia Ruskin University. They explain why the site of a medieval leper hospital is so exciting and ask the questions we're hoping to get answers to.
You'll also hear from Lieutenant Commander Jen Smith, the Royal Navy's Deputy Fleet Wreck Officer. She'll tell you how a change in the law could protect more military shipwrecks.
Dr Toby Driver from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales summarises the incredible archaeological discoveries that've been made during the dry and hot conditions over the summer months. You'll learn how parch marks in the soil can be viewed from the air to reveal lost history beneath our feet.
Finally Helen and Martyn catch up with Dr David Neal, one of the leading experts on Romano-British mosaics.

Become a Time Team member to support archaeology up and down the country. Joining us on Patreon gives you access to ad-free and bonus episodes, behind the scenes videos, masterclasses, 3D models, the chance to dig with us on site and so much more. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for all the details.

Time Team archaeologist Helen Geake answers questions from Time Team members. You'll learn about the man widely considered to be the founding father of modern archaeology, discover which archaeological sites don't get re-buried after an excavation and find out which archaeological technique has produced to the most surprising results.

Helen's Find discusses an object discovered through archaeology with an exciting story to tell. You can look at this week's object here:
https://finds.org.uk/pas/recorded-find/HAMP-9DA925

There's so much more from Time Team available to Time Team members. Supporting the work we do means you get exclusive access to bonus content, ad-free episodes and the chance to join us on site. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial now for all the details.

The Bayeux Tapestry has arrived at The British Museum on loan from France. Helen Geake and Martyn Williams speak to medieval embroidery expert Alex Makin who got an exclusive preview of the new display before the rest of the public got to see it.
Derek Pitman joins the podcast from Northumberland where a Time Team X-Crew dig has been underway. Historian and writer Alistair Moffat gives some context to the lawless border region where the shieling sites are situated.
Dr Hugh Willmott takes you on a tour of the second season of excavations at Cerne Abbas, a forgotten abbey at the foot of the famous Cerne Abbas chalk giant in Dorset.

Time Team members have access to a bonus episode of the podcast this week. It's an in-depth conversation about the Cerne Abbey dig with Dr Hugh Willmott. Join us on Patreon now for that, ad-free episodes, dig updates from Northumberland and so much more. Head to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for all the details.

Helen Geake and Martyn Williams explore Tintagel Castle with Professor Ken Dark, Director of the Tintagel Hinterland Project and author of Tyrants and Traders: Tintagel, Arthur and The Lost Kings.
You'll learn more about this remarkable location, its place in history and its links to the legend of King Arthur, who's rumoured to have been conceived within its walls.

The book's available right now in the Time Team shop. Head to https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/ for details. Don't forget you can support Time Team's work by becoming a Time Team member. At patreon.com/timeteamofficial you'll get ad-free and bonus editions of the podcast, masterclasses, behind-the-scenes footage and so much more.

Helen Geake and Martyn Williams meet the team behind a new DNA discovery that changes our understanding of Bronze Age society. David Dawson from Wiltshire Museum and Tom Booth of the Crick Institute explain how it turns out the famous "stout man" is actually "stout woman"!
Time Team's Carenza Lewis has details of how Time Team members can join us on our next dig in October. It's taking place in Lincoln, with more information available soon at patreon.com/timeteamofficial.
Lawrence Shaw gets you excited for Time Team's expedition crew dig in Northumberland and you'll meet the mathematician trying to solve a neolithic mystery using his geometry knowledge.

To support the archaeology work we do up and down the UK and around the world, consider becoming a Time Team member. You'll receive tonnes of benefits such as ad-free and bonus podcasts, 3D models, behind-the-scenes photos, masterclasses and the chance to join us on site. Visit patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more information.