Ep 4. Saxon Burials on the Ridge, South Carlton

In season 11 episode 4 of Time Team, titled "Saxon Burials on the Ridge, South Carlton," the team heads to Lincolnshire to investigate a burial site that is believed to date back to the Saxon period. The site in question, located on a ridge in South Carlton, has been the subject of much speculation over the years due to its unusual positioning. It is situated on a high, exposed spot, far from any settlement, and it is this mystery that the team sets out to solve. As the archaeologists begin their investigation, they discover a number of interesting features that provide clues to the site's past. There are multiple graves, all of which are oriented east-west, and many contain artifacts such as pottery and jewelry. One grave in particular catches the team's attention, as it contains an unusual wooden coffin and a beautifully decorated sword hilt. The sword is particularly interesting, as it is not typically associated with Saxon burials, and may indicate a connection to a more northern tribe. As work continues, the team uncovers evidence of other structures on the ridge, including a possible pagan temple or meeting place. They also explore the wider landscape and visit nearby sites that may be linked to the burials, such as a Roman road and an Iron Age hillfort. Throughout the episode, the archaeologists discuss their findings and speculate about the people who may have been buried on the ridge. They consider questions such as why this site was chosen, who these individuals were, and what their lives may have been like. In the end, the team concludes that the burial site is likely connected to a larger settlement that existed nearby and that the people buried here were likely members of a wealthy, elite class. Their discoveries shed light on a little-understood period of history and offer a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in this part of England over a thousand years ago.