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Strategy introduction: let's bring Time Team back! (Patreon)

Published:
2020-12-31 10:14:13
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

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With our opening Patreon goal reached in just 3 days and our next target well underway, we've officially kickstarted the process of bringing Time Team back. And it's all down to you, our Patrons! Thank you all.

But as Tim has emphasised, this is simply the start of a long journey with several key stages to navigate through before getting out 'in the field'. Each stage is essential and your continued support really is key to making it happen!

Stage 1, which we have already started, centres upon 'desktop digging' – gathering together the existing research on our potential sites, mapping the sites on our 3D grid, and beginning the unenviable task of sorting out paperwork and permissions.

Assuming we meet our next goal of 3,000 Patrons by the end of January, we will be able to move on to Stages 2 and 3. In Stage 2, we will continue assembling the team, start forging links with the local community and refine the project design – the big questions at the heart of each dig. What is the specific mystery that we are hoping to shed light on?

We'll be adding more detail to the next stages as things progress. But in the meantime, wouldn't it be great if you could listen in over the shoulder of Series Producer Tim Taylor as he discusses early strategy with archaeologist Dr Helen Geake?

Exclusively for our Patrons, we hope you enjoy these insights into the process of creating and developing Time Team.

Files

PTN-Helen Stage 1 into 2.m4v

This is "PTN-Helen Stage 1 into 2.m4v" by Time Team on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Comments

Mark Cooke

Asking the right questions

Bart Remeeus

I really hope they can get some of the old experts back, paul on his motor was always amazing, especially when he found specific pieces of pottery. As for the digging part of the team i truly hope Phil will return in some form, even if it is a mentoring role combined with his flint expertise.

Caroline Hunt

If you know of a site that could be ideal for the new TT how can you put it forward?

Zoe Propper

A great insight to watch on NYE. So exciting to see into some of the thought and background that goes into a dig. Wish I was able to get more involved. Happy New Year

Mark Cooke

Caroline Message them you ideas bottom centre main screen

TimeTeamOfficial

Hi Caroline, thanks for this. We're always delighted to receive great tip-offs so you can mail the team directly at membership@timeteamdigital.com. Unfortunately, with many sites already in consideration we're unable to follow up every lead, but we're always grateful for hearing ideas! Producer level Patrons will get the opportunity to pitch sites suggestions directly to the production team and the special Executive Producer level enables even greater involvement in selecting specific sites. We'll be involving all Patrons and getting your feedback in the wider process, so please watch this space in the new year!

Carole Cox

Thank you for sharing. It is interesting to hear what sort of project management goes in to developing a site.

Phelim McIntyre

How left field do experts need to be? My first qualification is in social psychology (youth and community work) and then a Research Masters in Archaeology with a PhD soon to follow. As my lecturers will agree - it gives me a different perspective on archaeology (especially ethics). But in doing the PD for my PhD I can't think of anything I would be adding from what was mentioned, and agree with getting the metal detectorists in before the top soil is removed. I've been on too many sites where all you can do is the spoil heap and there is no way to tell where something came from (just as long as we remember not to wear the boots with steel toe caps!).

John Anderson

Oh how I miss Robin Bush. RIP. His story telling added so much to time team.

Matthew Lucas

I wonder if, with the more modest budget but with viewers that are perhaps more interested in the detail, the three day format could be more flexible. I’m sure most of us wouldn’t mind a two part episode here and there. It feels like making the digs time-bound, rather that determined by the archaeology, the extent of some sites may not always be understood sufficiently.

Phelim McIntyre

The format of Time Team has always been based around the 3 Day evaluation idea. The vast majority of the diggers have other jobs and Time Team is a few day secondment meaning that they cannot spend longer on a site. The aim was always to evaluate a site with the hope that a University, Museum, Commercial company or even a local archaeological society could return and do a more detailed excavation. I doubt, knowing the cost of excavations with all the pre and post excavation work, that Time Team will be able to afford longer digs.

Matthew Lucas

Fewer sites but longer digs result in the same overall effort. Well, less actually because all the pre-dig work and writing up the dig afterward only need to be done once.

Kaz

When it comes to choosing diggers/helpers, will patrons be able to get involved with any digs local to them? I'd love to help out, whether it be a bit of digging, pot washing, field walking etc, and I'm sure others here would too.

TimeTeamOfficial

Hi Karen. Thanks for your support. Involving local communities will be an important part of the process, not just during any potential dig itself but also in creating a legacy for the site / finds afterwards. We'll be expanding on this in future posts, including in an upcoming piece with Carenza Lewis.

Dennis Wert

It is do good to hear all the preparatory factors involved even in this; the ideation phase. I am so happy that I could support this endeavor (in a very small way). Thank you for all the details!

Graham Dombkins

Will there still be the possibility of a Time Team artist? I loved how Victor Ambrus could bring it all together.

Joel Michael

I love these kinds of meetings. Some of Helen's comments sounded like managing experts can be challenging, though. Given the new dependency on online platforms, has the core team considered facilitating their own online forum of experts to vet them for specific topics prior to shooting and to maintain a large engaged academic audience separate from the public consumers of the show's content? It might be a way to minimize surprises on-site and ensure the kind of analysis that best fits the specific needs of a Time Team expert. Maintaining a stable of ready experts could even be a good way to fill unexpected knowledge gaps on the fly if needed.

David Boon

I am pleased to hear Stewart’s name being mentioned as one of the experts. As a history curriculum expert and writer in Australia I was also pleased to hear local schools being mentioned. I wonder whether the possible educational benefits of Time Team might be further explored and schools viewed not only in terms of how students can be involved in the digs but in what learning could be gained more broadly. While tasks such as washing finds will be enjoyable to students, how can an understanding of the archaeology add to their understanding of history. If we are talking about primary school aged students then Stewart’s work is an area that will help that understanding. Neither an archeologist without a background in education, or a teacher without an understanding of archaeology, will fully appreciate how best to support the learning of the young students involved. As someone who has made use of some of Stewart’s approaches in a localised way with primary aged students, I know there is so much more that can be done to support the learning of students in the local area of the dig. It is important that they are encouraged to ask questions and not just be provided with answers. I would be happy to share some further ideas if that is of use once you get to that stage.

Phelim McIntyre

David, I agree. I have been part of the education team at an excavation and am part of the education team at Butser Ancient Farm, an experimental archaeology "museum" started by the late Peter Reynolds. I know that the work we have done has not just brought the history to life and given them the chance to taste what life might have been like, that it has given them the confidence to think, to ask questions, to explore outside the box. It has also brought the theories of maths, science, geography, design and technology, and other subjects to life by giving them a point beyond a maths test. We have "trenches" we have seeded with finds at Butser and I always make sure we have a pot rim brought out. I tell the children (most aged 6-9) that they can tell me how big the pot is and ask how? As soon as one gets that the rim is part of a circle their attention is caught. Just don't get me started on the uses of wee and poo.

David Boon

Phelim, Great to hear what you are doing in building inquiring minds. Wee and poo is always a winner. 😁 I will have to find out more about Butser. Your points about making natural connections to others areas of learning are so important and, in particular, using young students recognition of shape and pattern. Unfortunately this is something we often teach them to lose. My favourite thing to do is take six year old students out looking at architectural styles. They can be taught to recognise the features of different styles more quickly than most adults.

MeaninglessMud

From practical experience of running archaeological projects, community and their sense of ownership, thus post excavation protection of sites is vital. The community is a key component, especially if you find its trained in excavation. (Which is why I’ve promoted in Cumbria elsewhere.) I believe this resource can be built into the plan if you have confidence in the ability. That requires prior contact with the archaeologists on the ground. I’m all for a healthy on camera debate. It makes it clear to the viewer that there is no one single interpretation. That the past is fluid. As long as the experts don’t hijack the dig! Absolutely a need for an historian - context! I’m also of the opinion we should include brief insights as to the history of archaeology , why we use certain methods. Who invented them. Absolutely need a two years on site report for every excavation. This answers many critics regarding in and out archaeology. Yes I’m fully aware as a professional but the public are not. Time Team and Wessex Archaeology have promoted but there is at least one programme a year that should be updates.

Phelim McIntyre

Sadly if you look up Butser you will get footage of me trying to thatch our new Neolithic House, either that or dauding walls. We are currently filming a lot of people and activities to update the website so there is much more basic education about not only what we do but how people lived and worked.

Liz Dyson

Sorry to butt in Caroline but am I allowed to use this email please time team?

Emma chamberlain

I am very happy to hear Stewarts name also. As he weaved in and out of an episode, he brought context and clarity, which related to the archeology. As a viewer you understood the wider context, he gave the 3d aspect. After binge watching time team many years ago, you really do see how important his work was tying it all together.

Becky Schack

Watching this discussion has made me even more excited. Another idea I have had, are some episodes on updates to digs in the past. After watching (okay, well, rewatching an episode), I frequently find myself scouring the web for any site updates. This is particularly interesting when Time Team has uncovered a "new site" (for instance the early Christian monastery near Tobermoray) and obviously can't dig a sizable portion of the site and do all the analysis in one episode. I love to learn more about what else has been unearthed since TT left, new theories, etc.

Amy Krause

I’ll echo many of the comments here already. Yes to Stewart’s landscape archaeology perspective to provide insights into land use and clues as to where additional work may prove insightful. Yes to historians who love archaeology and are able research to shed light on the archaeology and help answer questions that arise. Yes to a strong primary research question. Yes to involving communities as partners in their own sites and ensuring care after TT departs. This seems important for long term success and part of TT’s value proposition, for lack of a better term. Last... and this is so small I feel badly mentioning it, but would you like a hand sorting out the Vimeo metadata so that the Patreon episodes are not auto populated with the file name of the recordings? I noticed there was an issue with a recent upload on the TT YouTube channel as well where the file was exported in the wrong aspect ratio. I know these are small technical details but they speak to our ability to be current and relevant. Well done as always and thank you for bringing insightful and contemporary archaeology to the forefront again. It’s refreshing to see healthy debate and intelligent questions!

TimeTeamOfficial

Hi A.K., great to have you on board and thanks for all your comments. Yes, we're aware of the aspect issue on a recent Classics episode – unfortunately as it went out during the holiday period we couldn't fix it instantly, but we'll get that resolved asap! Thanks also for the heads up on the Vimeo integration. We'll message you directly to get more info on how/where you're viewing and get that fixed.

A Bleese

You're mentioning possible sites in this video, when will potential sites be shared with the supporters?

Darian

This was one aspect of the show i liked to better imagine what the building(s) would of looked like. I am not sure if we would have the superimposed 3d models like they did in the past (i hope so), but a sketch or painting would be the second best thing and really as you say brings it together.

Doug Lucey

As a historian myself (with a deep-seated love of archaeology), I would think the input of a historian to be important, not necessarily one who is swayed more to an ‘archaeological way of thinking’. Archaeology and history can complement each other. A historian’s approach can also offer a fresh and reasoned way of thinking, sometimes at variance with that of an archaeologist, but can nevertheless still be useful in an overall context.

Phelim McIntyre

This idea of an online forum of experts is a good one I hope TT take forward. Having been on digs where you need expertise that is not there and none of the people you call will answer the phone or open their email I know the frustrations Helen is talking about. But keeping a stable of experts is easier than keeping the experts stable (especially Romanists ;) .

Kristna Evans

I felt a bit like Tim was referring to a document that had been shared somewhere. The list of steps. Is that available to look at? I LOVE getting to hear Tim obviously learning and truly interacting with Helen (one of my FAVORITES). I really did feel like I was getting to be part of the process. But I feel like I could have gotten so much more from this conversation if I had a draft of the list he was talking about. The stages. I know this is in process, but I think "Project Supervisors" recognize that and will actually enjoy getting to watch the lists and plans change.

Jennifer L Bryan

I think you're what she means by an archaeologically minded historian : one who sees archaeology and history as complementary approaches to the same problem, rather than antithetical. I have known historians (mostly those educated in the 1960s or earlier) who believe that if you can't produce a document in support of your theory, it's wild speculation.

Doug Lucey

Well said Jennifer. Being open-minded and inclusive are important traits, as is the willingness to share one's knowledge with the public.

Mariah (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-08 23:00 Love Helen's thoughts on comparative work! I have had to make similar decisions with literature review with data analysis vs new experiment in my own field and her wisdom on finding that balance is perfectly true. I do respectfully disagree that true does not exist - I think she defined it as I would, that it is what best fits the evidence. Just because none of us experience the reality of it it "directly" and in full does not mean we can't infer it does exist! It depends on how flexible you get with the word truth I suppose. I like to allow it to have a very human definition - one on our scale that allows it is always just "our best". We all certainly do come to conclusions about what kind of evidence we accept and why. Unless this is entirely arbitrary, there is something there, however imperfect. All that being said each new part of this Q&A has made me more excited for new Time Team in all is various forms. So many good ideas including the practical ones about implementation. Good work!!
2021-01-12 05:01 Love Helen's thoughts on comparative work! I have had to make similar decisions with literature review with data analysis vs new experiment in my own field and her wisdom on finding that balance is perfectly true. I do respectfully disagree that true does not exist - I think she defined it as I would, that it is what best fits the evidence. Just because none of us experience the reality of it it "directly" and in full does not mean we can't infer it does exist! It depends on how flexible you get with the word truth I suppose. I like to allow it to have a very human definition - one on our scale that allows it is always just "our best". We all certainly do come to conclusions about what kind of evidence we accept and why. Unless this is entirely arbitrary, there is something there, however imperfect. All that being said each new part of this Q&A has made me more excited for new Time Team in all is various forms. So many good ideas including the practical ones about implementation. Good work!!

Love Helen's thoughts on comparative work! I have had to make similar decisions with literature review with data analysis vs new experiment in my own field and her wisdom on finding that balance is perfectly true. I do respectfully disagree that true does not exist - I think she defined it as I would, that it is what best fits the evidence. Just because none of us experience the reality of it it "directly" and in full does not mean we can't infer it does exist! It depends on how flexible you get with the word truth I suppose. I like to allow it to have a very human definition - one on our scale that allows it is always just "our best". We all certainly do come to conclusions about what kind of evidence we accept and why. Unless this is entirely arbitrary, there is something there, however imperfect. All that being said each new part of this Q&A has made me more excited for new Time Team in all is various forms. So many good ideas including the practical ones about implementation. Good work!!

DaFrenk

Please make sure Stewart is on board! He has such a good eye and loads of experience which will prove invaluable!

Stephen Southworth

Helen always one of my favourite teamers. So positive and forward looking for an archaeologist!!

Paul Willetts

Hi all, I'm joining the party slightly late and catching up with the content already posted. I see the 3 day approach is being retained but what do we know about it being weekdays, weekends or is it site dependent and a mix of both? Reason for asking - another poster asked if the digs would be opened up to volunteers and I haven't seen an answer yet. I guess the community angle would suggest local societies but I'm sure there are a good number of experienced amateurs just itching to be trowel fodder for a few days.

Paul Willetts (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-08 23:00 One for the Team - what does the project plan have by way of an environmental & sustainability strategy? Another big interest of mine is the move away from fossil fuel dependency where we can and Robert Llewellyn has a Patreon channel called Fully Charged promoting the various ways in we can make a difference and just recently he reviewed and trialled electric mini diggers. Is our thinking going in this direction?
2021-01-30 19:31 One for the Team - what does the project plan have by way of an environmental & sustainability strategy? Another big interest of mine is the move away from fossil fuel dependency where we can and Robert Llewellyn has a Patreon channel called Fully Charged promoting the various ways in we can make a difference and just recently he reviewed and trialled electric mini diggers. Is our thinking going in this direction?

One for the Team - what does the project plan have by way of an environmental & sustainability strategy? Another big interest of mine is the move away from fossil fuel dependency where we can and Robert Llewellyn has a Patreon channel called Fully Charged promoting the various ways in we can make a difference and just recently he reviewed and trialled electric mini diggers. Is our thinking going in this direction?

James r laprade jr

Can't wait to see this off the ground... and I want to come dig.... I have a lovely trowel but I'll even do just the gross digging!

High Street Pictures

hiya - when you're speaking of specialists - have you already discussed the local viewpoint? in the past Time Team episodes which had the local specialist as well as the Guy, Robin etc... the local 'truth' can often be different.

Laura Reed

I am a historian who loves archaeology and I would love to be involved! I joined the Young Archaeologists Club because of Time Team and then went to University of Essex to study History and Sociology BA and History MA. I am a Victorianist but I love researching anything and everything!