Ep 1. Burslem, Stoke on Trent

Time Team season 6 episode 1, titled "Burslem, Stoke on Trent," takes us to a town in Staffordshire, England, that has a rich industrial past. The team, consisting of archaeologists and historians led by Tony Robinson, is tasked with uncovering evidence of the town's heritage, from its early beginnings to its later emergence as a key player in the pottery industry.

The episode begins with the team exploring the site of an old pottery works that dates back to the 18th century. They quickly discover evidence of a kiln, and decide to excavate the area further in order to get a better understanding of what was produced there. This proves to be a challenging task, as the site has been heavily disturbed over the years, with everything from coal mines to housing being built on top of it.

Undaunted, the team soldiers on and soon discovers some intriguing artifacts, including shards of pottery with distinctive patterns that hint at the type of wares that were produced there. They also come across pieces of clay pipes, which were used for smoking tobacco and were extremely popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.

As the team delves deeper into the site, they begin to piece together a picture of what life would have been like for the workers at the pottery works. They uncover remains of the workers' housing, including a row of terraced houses that would have housed dozens of families. They also find evidence of a communal garden and even a pigsty, which would have been used to feed the workers.

Despite the challenging conditions and the many obstacles that they encounter, the team manages to complete their excavations on time. Through their discoveries, they have shed light on an important chapter in Burslem's history and have given us a glimpse into what life would have been like for the town's residents centuries ago.

In addition to the main site at the pottery works, the team also explores several other locations around town, including an old pub that was once frequented by some of the most notorious local figures. They also examine an area that was once a bustling marketplace, where traders from across the region would come to buy and sell goods.

Throughout the episode, the team's archaeologists and historians provide fascinating insights into the town's past and explain how the various pieces of evidence that they uncover fit together to create a cohesive picture of Burslem's history. They also showcase some of the tools and techniques that they use in their excavations and demonstrate how these methods have evolved over time.

Overall, "Burslem, Stoke on Trent" is a fascinating and informative episode of Time Team that offers a unique and in-depth look at a town that played a pivotal role in England's industrial revolution. With its spirited cast of characters and its exciting discoveries, this episode is sure to delight history buffs and fans of archaeology alike.