FEATURE LENGTH | TIME TEAM - Boden Fogou (Cornwall) - Days 1-3, Series 21 (Dig 1)

The team introduces the new look of Time Team, with old and new members, as they investigate a mysterious Iron Age underground site in Cornwall, known as a fugu. Discovered by farmer Chris Hoskin 25 years ago, the site features stone-lined passageways and caverns. The team aims to uncover the purpose of these structures, whether for storage, refuge, or spiritual activities, within three days using both traditional and advanced technology.

The team explores the lizard peninsula near the Helford River, a historically significant trade route for Cornish tin. The site director, James Gossip, has revealed an L-shaped passageway leading to a deeper cavern. The team employs a mix of traditional tools and cutting-edge technology to map the fugu and surrounding areas, identifying ditches, rectilinear enclosures, and potential pathways. Initial geophysical surveys hint at a complex network of tunnels and structures.

Stuart, the landscape archaeologist, explores potential trade routes, and Henry finds evidence of nearby landing places, suggesting the site's strategic importance. In trench one, Matt and James uncover signs of the enclosure ditch and a possible passageway linking to the fugu. They encounter rock-cut steps and begin to unravel the site's complexity, discovering that the fugu might connect to other structures and pathways.

The team continues to uncover significant features and artifacts. They find what appears to be a ring ditch, potentially indicating a fence line or roundhouse. In trench two, post holes suggest a circular structure, possibly a hut circle or ring ditch. Metal detectorists discover a copper alloy object, potentially a Roman coin. The team discusses the use of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to analyze its composition and determine its origin.

Further analysis of the potential Roman coin suggests it might be brass or bronze, helping to date the site. The team extends their survey into Victor's Field, discovering a square enclosure that might be a Roman temple. They plan to dig across the main ditches to gather dating evidence. The site's strategic location and connection to both sea routes and ancient barrows hint at its historical significance.

The team investigates potential Roman and Iron Age structures. Pete finds a ditch in trench two that could be a boundary or fence line. Carl identifies a piece of pottery as part of a cooking vessel from the later Iron Age. The discussion includes the cultural exchange between the Roman and Iron Age periods, highlighting Cornwall's historical role in tin and copper trade.

The exploration reveals evidence of ancient daily life and trade. The team discusses Cornwall's early multicultural interactions due to the tin and copper trade, dating back to 300 BC. Discoveries include a bronze age dagger and pottery from a nearby roundhouse, emphasizing the long-standing importance of these materials. The team opens new trenches to explore further Bronze Age structures.

Naomi uses a flotation tank to search for small artifacts, discovering carbonized grains and tiny pottery pieces. These finds help reconstruct ancient diets and living conditions. The team discovers more pottery and other artifacts in trench nine, providing further evidence of Iron Age and Roman activity. Environmental archaeology reveals new details about the site's historical use.

Angie demonstrates Bronze Age pottery-making techniques using local clay. The process includes coiling the clay and using pebbles for smoothing. The team compares these methods with decorations found on ancient pottery, experimenting with twisted wool and nettles. This hands-on approach provides insights into the craftsmanship and daily life of Bronze Age inhabitants.

The team explores various trenches, identifying potential Iron Age or Romano-British settlements. They find burnt stones and fired clay, suggesting a roundhouse or other structures. The discovery of diagnostic pottery helps date these features. Stuart and Henry analyze the landscape, considering both trade and ritual significance, while geophysical surveys continue to provide new data.

The team debates whether certain features are roundhouses or burial barrows, analyzing ring ditches and other structural elements. They find natural clay in one trench, challenging previous assumptions. The ongoing investigation includes analyzing environmental samples to confirm or refute burial theories, highlighting the complexities of interpreting ancient sites.

Matt and the team uncover a Bronze Age roundhouse, finding significant artifacts like burnt silt and pottery. They discuss plans for further excavation, aiming to reveal more about the structure's use and historical context. The discovery of well-preserved pottery offers opportunities for lipid and starch analysis to understand ancient diets and daily life.

The team wraps up their excavations, confirming connections between various trenches and the fugu. They continue to uncover artifacts and structural features, including pottery and post holes. The final discussions include the significance of the square enclosure and its potential ritual use, as well as the overall historical context of the site.

The team evaluates the square enclosure in trench four, debating its purpose and historical significance. They consider the possibility of it being a Roman cemetery but find evidence suggesting otherwise. Environmental evidence might prove the presence of burials, supporting theories of ritual use. The enclosure's distinctiveness highlights cultural influences from trading links with Rome.

Stuart and Carl discuss the square enclosure's uniqueness in Cornwall, suggesting it may reflect Roman or late Iron Age influences. The team's finds, including iron age pottery and environmental evidence, support this theory. The square enclosure might have served ceremonial purposes, indicating a significant cultural and historical site.

The team continues to uncover Iron Age and Roman features, including a possible corn storage area and ritual site. They discuss the enclosure's purpose and the significance of its rectangular shape. The investigation reveals layers of historical use, from Bronze Age roundhouses to Iron Age fugus and potential Roman temples.

As the excavation concludes, the team uncovers significant artifacts, including pottery and environmental samples. The discovery of a sestertius coin confirms Roman activity. The team reflects on the site's complexity, spanning Bronze Age to Roman periods. They propose further open-area excavation to fully understand the site's historical significance.

The team concludes their investigation, highlighting the site's archaeological significance. They propose further excavations to fully understand the connections between different historical periods and cultural influences. The discoveries emphasize the site's importance for understanding ancient trade, ritual, and daily life in Cornwall.