Football, Fun and Fascinating Facts

A Time Team dig isn't all about work, there's lots of fun too.

The day I visited was bright and sunny and inspired many Time Team members to show off their fantastic frisbee and football skills.

These distant specks are actually Time Team crew members, whiling away quiet moments with a kickabout.

Handily enough, there was a sports field right next to their base, which was put to very good use at lunchtime and at the end of the day.

I reckon one or two Team members do need a bit more practice though - the way they almost took your Show Me Ed's head off with the football, not once, not twice but THREE times, was a bit scary.

Or could it be that they just didn't like me being a nosey-parker I wonder…?

Hmmm... work or table football? Table football or work? Can you spot the distraction... which would you choose?

There was a table football game inside the main 'incident room', or site office. Team members claimed the table was already there, but we're not so sure... there was lots of heated game-playing going on there at break-times!

At lunchtime a mobile kitchen turned up - that's a whole kitchen, in a van! Even out in the fields there were splendid snacks - brainy archaeologists need to keep their energy levels up.

Just like the school canteen at lunch time, but with better food and bigger, more hairy eaters.

OK - what's an ambulance got to do with anything?

Well, each Time Team dig has to have an ambulance on stand-by in case of any accidents. The ambulances are provided by the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

Ever seen what's inside one of those fluffy microphones?

Here you go. The fluffy 'coat' muffles wind and other unwanted noises so the mic inside picks up a clearer sound.

No, this isn't Lara Croft on a mission, but like Lara, she is an archaeologist.

This is Karen, one of the Time Team researchers, talking into her radio. Time Team use these to keep in touch with each other from different parts of the site.

One of the most memorable things about the Time team dig was the fun everyone was having. Archaeology isn't always exciting, there's lots of hard work involved, but this team certainly knows how to enjoy themselves.

(All photos © 24 Hour Museum unless otherwise stated.)