Ep 9. The Lost Castle of Dundrum

In the season 20 episode 9 of Time Team titled "The Lost Castle of Dundrum", the team travels to Northern Ireland to investigate the remains of Dundrum Castle. This castle was built in the 12th century and was an important stronghold during the Norman invasion of Ireland. It was later abandoned in the 17th century and fell into ruin.

The team begins their investigation with a drone survey of the castle's surrounding areas. They discover the remains of a moat, which suggests that the castle was once surrounded by water. Next, the team investigates the castle gatehouse, which is the only structure that is still standing. They believe that the gatehouse was once a three-story tower that was attached to the castle walls.

The team then begins to excavate the ground around the gatehouse. They find the remains of two buildings that were once attached to the tower. One of these buildings was likely a barracks for soldiers, while the other may have been used for storage. The team also finds evidence of a small kitchen that was located within the tower itself.

The team then turns their attention to the castle walls. They discover that the walls were built using a combination of local stone and imported sandstone. They believe that the sandstone was imported from the Isle of Man, which is over 100 miles away. This suggests that the original builders of Dundrum Castle had access to sophisticated transportation methods.

Next, the team focuses on the castle's inner courtyard. They find evidence of a well, which would have been used to provide the castle with water. They also discover the remains of a large building that was likely used as a great hall. This building was once decorated with ornate carvings and may have been used for important meetings and events.

Finally, the team examines the castle's outer defenses. They discover a series of trenches and barbed wire that were likely used during World War II, when the castle was used as a training ground for soldiers. They also find evidence of a gun emplacement that was dug into the ground.

Overall, the investigation of Dundrum Castle provides insight into the castle's history and the various uses it has seen over the centuries. The team's findings shed light on the castle's construction, defenses, and daily life of its inhabitants.