Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Step into the secret world beneath a Shropshire pub, where Time Team uncovers a hidden blast furnace that helped ignite the Industrial Revolution.
Join the Time Team as they race against the clock to reveal the secrets of Leighton's forgotten furnace, buried under a village pub just miles from Ironbridge - the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Discover how this 17th-century blast furnace operated, from its roaring charcoal fires and massive waterwheel-powered bellows to the casting of cannonballs for the English Civil War. Watch as the team reconstructs the ancient process of making charcoal, traces the ingenious water management systems in the surrounding landscape, and unearths evidence of the bustling ironworks that once shaped the local community.
This episode delves into the fascinating transition from traditional charcoal-fueled ironmaking to Abraham Darby's revolutionary use of coke at nearby Ironbridge. See firsthand how archaeological detective work, historical documents, and hands-on experiments piece together the story of how Leighton's furnace fit into the wider industrial landscape. Whether you're passionate about industrial archaeology, British history, or the roots of modern technology, this dig brings history to life beneath your feet.
#Archaeology #TimeTeam #IndustrialRevolution #Ironbridge #BlastFurnace #BritishHistory #CharcoalMaking #HiddenHistory
Step into the secret world beneath a Shropshire pub, where Time Team uncovers a hidden blast furnace that helped ignite the Industrial Revolution.
Join the Time Team as they race against the clock to reveal the secrets of Leighton's forgotten furnace, buried under a village pub just miles from Ironbridge - the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Discover how this 17th-century blast furnace operated, from its roaring charcoal fires and massive waterwheel-powered bellows to the casting of cannonballs for the English Civil War. Watch as the team reconstructs the ancient process of making charcoal, traces the ingenious water management systems in the surrounding landscape, and unearths evidence of the bustling ironworks that once shaped the local community.
This episode delves into the fascinating transition from traditional charcoal-fueled ironmaking to Abraham Darby's revolutionary use of coke at nearby Ironbridge. See firsthand how archaeological detective work, historical documents, and hands-on experiments piece together the story of how Leighton's furnace fit into the wider industrial landscape. Whether you're passionate about industrial archaeology, British history, or the roots of modern technology, this dig brings history to life beneath your feet.
#Archaeology #TimeTeam #IndustrialRevolution #Ironbridge #BlastFurnace #BritishHistory #CharcoalMaking #HiddenHistory
