Scotch broch Applecross, North-west Scotland Sunday 16 April 2006
Tony Robinson and the team journeyed to the north west of Scotland for this programme for what turned out to be one of the toughest Time Team excavations ever.
The team had been invited to Applecross to excavate what was thought to be a broch, a monumental stone tower that was one of the largest Iron Age structures in Britain. Brochs, found only in Scotland, have a unique design of two massive circular stone walls, so they should be easy to spot. But this is Time Team and nothing is ever that simple.
This thread is for discussion and comments on the programme.
This is the last programme in the current series, I'm afraid. Time Team will be back with the next series same time next year. There is also a big Time Team live event this summer, at least two 'specials' coming up and no doubt plenty of repeats. And of course the forum and the website stay open all year round.
A slightly technical question but how did all the equipment needed to record the programme get to Applecross?
Now I must admit it is decades since I have been there but the road from the east has some very steep hills. I know there is a road in from the north but it is a long way round. Or did they bring the equipment in by sea?
Terrific note to end the series on. I'm fascinated by brochs, so this was very enjoyable for me, particularly Victor's reconstruction dawing and Raysan's 3D.
'Scuse my ignorance, but apart from a quick flash of one of Victor's drawings, I couldn't get my head round how the inside of a broch was constructed. From the drawing it appeared that the living went on on the first floor which was presumably made of wood - how did they construct a fire in the centre so it didn't burn through the floor? And if the roof was covered, as in the picture, where did the smoke go?
A classic TT episode, battling against adversity to come up with answers. Thankfully an occasionally dodgy series ended on a strong note, and even despite the dodgy ones its still the most watchable thing on TV. Are there any specials coming up ??
Just strikes me the stones under the fireplace would have to be rather large to stop heat penetration but increasing size obviously increases weight. I never thought of clay....
Originally posted by Jenni: ...And if the roof was covered, as in the picture, where did the smoke go?
Mick Aston, writing about Iron Age round house thatched rooves, in his book 'Recreating the Past', states : 'Poorer reconstructions often show a hole at the top of the roof for the smoke to go out; this would have drawn the fire like a chimney setting fire to the roof. In fact the smoke finds its way out through the thatch, keeping it clear of vermin on the way, and smoking any meat or fish hung up in the roof space. Experiments have shown the steeper the pitch the thinner the thatch needed, and the less smoke accumulation.'
Originally posted by Jenni: ...And if the roof was covered, as in the picture, where did the smoke go?
Mick Aston, writing about Iron Age round house thatched rooves, in his book 'Recreating the Past', states : 'Poorer reconstructions often show a hole at the top of the roof for the smoke to go out; this would have drawn the fire like a chimney setting fire to the roof. In fact the smoke finds its way out through the thatch, keeping it clear of vermin on the way, and smoking any meat or fish hung up in the roof space. Experiments have shown the steeper the pitch the thinner the thatch needed, and the less smoke accumulation.'
I've spent a couple of nights in a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse and it does exactly that. Looks quite evocative from the outside with all the smoke rising out of the thatch.
Good way of getting rid of all the spiders and insects that take up residence in the thatch although it's not good when they fall into your dinner!
Eventually watched this episode on More4 this evening, and what a cracker it was too!! I won't say you saved the best 'till last, because I have enjoyed several episodes of this series just as much. Particularly liked the companionable chat Tony and Mick were having under the canopy of the camper van.
Noticed the metal detectorist in the background, did they find anything?
This series, on the whole has been brilliant, really enjoyable. The whole team have worked well, with Stewart and JAG doing a stirling job on the the geofizz and landscapes, and, as always, Tony presented impeccably!!
Thank you to all involved in bringing the series to us, and here's looking forward to 2007 ....
Well, Lyn has just written what I was going to write so I'll just add my name to it. A good series all in all, and nice to see new members of the Team settling in.
Originally posted by RPM: ...an occasionally dodgy series...its still the most watchable thing on TV.
I agree - it's a jewel in a sea of dross. But what does 'dodgy' mean in this context please?
I Disagree i liked the whole series to a greater or lesser degree but it certainly was'nt dross.
I seem to have been misunderstood. I agree that Time Team is the best thing on TV. There is a lot of dross on TV and for me, Time Team stands out like a jewel. Also, I am curious to know which shows in the series were 'dodgy' and why. Armed with this knowledge, I will be watching the repeats with a different viewpoint.
Originally posted by Chris D: [QUOTE]Originally posted by AlfredBede: [QUOTE]Originally posted by Jenni: ...And if the roof was covered, as in the picture, where did the smoke go?
I've spent a couple of nights in a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse...[QUOTE]
But you must have suffered some smoke inhalation problems? And did you use modern sleeping bags or what? Thanks.
cant wait for the next one any idea when the new series will be aired ?
(Which hopefully might answer your question Iain.) 
