VIDEO Time Team S16-E02 The Hollow Way: Ulnaby, County Durham

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Time Team S16-E02 The Hollow Way: Ulnaby, County Durham In the second episode of Season 16 of Time Team, the crew journeys to Ulnaby in County Durham to investigate the remnants of a deserted medieval village. The episode delves into the rich archaeological tapestry beneath the surface of this rural area, where the remains of what once thrived as a medieval settlement lie hidden among grassy mounds.

Overview of the Episode​

The team is invited to explore Aly Hall Farm, surrounded by the enigmatic mounds that hint at the presence of structures, roads, and gardens from a long-lost village. As they gear up for the digging, the team grapples with the challenges posed by the scale of the site and the limited time frame of just three days to uncover the village's secrets. Key Objectives:

• Understand the origins of the village, its layout, and the reasons for its eventual abandonment.
• Analyze the significance of various archaeological features, including house plots and waste pits.
• Gather insights on daily life and community structures through the excavation of multiple trenches.

  Archaeological Findings​

  From the outset, the team identifies distinct earthworks indicating the village's past. Using geophysical surveys, they locate potential house plots, roads, and areas of occupation. The excavation reveals insights into the community’s agricultural practices, living conditions, and social structure. 1. Trench Excavations:
  • The team opens multiple trenches to explore identified features, modeling their approach based on the topographical features visible on the surface.
  • Evidence of foundations, pottery shards, and animal bones offer a glimpse into peasant life during the medieval period. 2. Daily Life Reconstructed:
  • The finds include varieties of pottery that help date the structures to the 13th and 14th centuries, a period during which the village flourished.
  • Animal bones discovered within the site suggest a diet comprised substantially of domesticated livestock, indicating the agricultural focus of this community.

    Historical Context​

    The episode not only investigates the archaeology but also ties into broader historical narratives. The village, once populated, began its decline possibly due to events such as the Black Death or changes to agricultural practices that shifted labor demands. Significant Historical References:
  []The name Ulnaby itself is traced back to its origins, hinting at Viking influences in its establishment. []Documentation from the period, such as wills that mention villagers providing produce to the lord of the manor, reinforces the economic structures that supported this community.

  Interpretation and Analysis​

  As the archaeologists sift through remains, they face the challenge of interpreting what they uncover amidst differing opinions about the village’s layout. This dynamic fosters discussions about the methodologies of archaeological investigation and highlights the interpretative nature of historical research. Discussion Points: []How do changes in farming practices in the late medieval period explain the village’s decline? []What does the archaeological evidence tell us about the societal changes occurring during and after the Black Death?

  Conclusion and Community Engagement​

  The episode concludes with the team piecing together the village’s story through various archaeological finds, successfully outlining a narrative of a community that thrived for centuries before its ultimate decline. As Time Team brings to life the buried histories of places like Ulnaby, viewers are reminded of the importance of preservation and understanding our heritage. Feel free to share your thoughts on this fascinating episode, or any experiences you might have had with similar archaeological investigations! What historical sites have intrigued you the most?