Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Step into history as Time Team returns to Atholney, Somerset, to uncover King Alfred the Great’s legendary hideout and the secrets beneath its marshy ground.
In this special 100th episode, the team revisits one of England’s most pivotal sites, where Alfred burnt the cakes and rallied his forces against the Vikings. Ten years after their first non-invasive investigation, Time Team finally has permission to dig at Atholney Abbey and the ancient fort, hoping to connect Saxon metalworking and defensive ditches directly to Alfred’s dramatic stand in 878 AD. Using advanced geophysics, radar, and hands-on archaeology, they unearth evidence of Saxon ironworking, rare metal artifacts, and fortifications that may have protected Alfred’s army. The team also explores the Abbey’s medieval remains, intriguing grave finds, and traces of an even older Iron Age occupation, revealing how Alfred may have repurposed ancient defenses to outwit his foes.
Watch as discoveries unfold: from Saxon knives and possible scythe blades, to clues about the island’s evolving landscape and its role as a royal refuge. See how layers of history—from the Iron Age to the medieval period—intertwine on this atmospheric Somerset island. Whether you’re fascinated by King Alfred, Anglo-Saxon warfare, or the detective work of archaeology, this episode is packed with insights, expert analysis, and the thrill of uncovering England’s hidden past.
#Archaeology #KingAlfred #TimeTeam #AngloSaxon #Vikings #AtholneyAbbey #SomersetHistory #Metalworking
Step into history as Time Team returns to Atholney, Somerset, to uncover King Alfred the Great’s legendary hideout and the secrets beneath its marshy ground.
In this special 100th episode, the team revisits one of England’s most pivotal sites, where Alfred burnt the cakes and rallied his forces against the Vikings. Ten years after their first non-invasive investigation, Time Team finally has permission to dig at Atholney Abbey and the ancient fort, hoping to connect Saxon metalworking and defensive ditches directly to Alfred’s dramatic stand in 878 AD. Using advanced geophysics, radar, and hands-on archaeology, they unearth evidence of Saxon ironworking, rare metal artifacts, and fortifications that may have protected Alfred’s army. The team also explores the Abbey’s medieval remains, intriguing grave finds, and traces of an even older Iron Age occupation, revealing how Alfred may have repurposed ancient defenses to outwit his foes.
Watch as discoveries unfold: from Saxon knives and possible scythe blades, to clues about the island’s evolving landscape and its role as a royal refuge. See how layers of history—from the Iron Age to the medieval period—intertwine on this atmospheric Somerset island. Whether you’re fascinated by King Alfred, Anglo-Saxon warfare, or the detective work of archaeology, this episode is packed with insights, expert analysis, and the thrill of uncovering England’s hidden past.
#Archaeology #KingAlfred #TimeTeam #AngloSaxon #Vikings #AtholneyAbbey #SomersetHistory #Metalworking
