Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Discover how a Roman bathhouse was found on a Sussex golf course, revealing secrets of ancient ironworking and a mysterious lost settlement! Roman iron smelting in Britain comes alive.
Join the Time Team as they investigate the astonishing discovery of a Roman bathhouse hidden between the fairways of Beauport Park Golf Course near Hastings. Unearthed by amateur archaeologist Gerald Broderib, this remarkably preserved site features underfloor heating, tiled walls, and windows - but it’s isolated, standing alone 40 miles from the nearest Roman town. Why was such an impressive structure built here, and what was happening in these woods nearly 2,000 years ago?
The team uncovers evidence linking the bathhouse to a vast Roman ironworking operation, complete with heaps of slag and tiles stamped with the Classis Britannica - the Roman navy’s mark. Over three days, they use archaeological digs, geophysics, and experimental iron smelting to piece together the story of this industrial hub. Did a thriving Roman settlement exist here, or was the bathhouse just a comfort for overseers amid a sea of laborers? Explore the challenges of woodland archaeology, the debate over high-status Roman buildings, and the excitement of recreating ancient iron production.
If you’re fascinated by Roman Britain, lost settlements, or the secrets beneath your feet, this episode uncovers how industrial might shaped the landscape - and the lives - of ancient Sussex.
#Archaeology #RomanBritain #TimeTeam #IronSmelting #BeauportPark #LostSettlements #AncientHistory #SussexHistory
Discover how a Roman bathhouse was found on a Sussex golf course, revealing secrets of ancient ironworking and a mysterious lost settlement! Roman iron smelting in Britain comes alive.
Join the Time Team as they investigate the astonishing discovery of a Roman bathhouse hidden between the fairways of Beauport Park Golf Course near Hastings. Unearthed by amateur archaeologist Gerald Broderib, this remarkably preserved site features underfloor heating, tiled walls, and windows - but it’s isolated, standing alone 40 miles from the nearest Roman town. Why was such an impressive structure built here, and what was happening in these woods nearly 2,000 years ago?
The team uncovers evidence linking the bathhouse to a vast Roman ironworking operation, complete with heaps of slag and tiles stamped with the Classis Britannica - the Roman navy’s mark. Over three days, they use archaeological digs, geophysics, and experimental iron smelting to piece together the story of this industrial hub. Did a thriving Roman settlement exist here, or was the bathhouse just a comfort for overseers amid a sea of laborers? Explore the challenges of woodland archaeology, the debate over high-status Roman buildings, and the excitement of recreating ancient iron production.
If you’re fascinated by Roman Britain, lost settlements, or the secrets beneath your feet, this episode uncovers how industrial might shaped the landscape - and the lives - of ancient Sussex.
#Archaeology #RomanBritain #TimeTeam #IronSmelting #BeauportPark #LostSettlements #AncientHistory #SussexHistory
