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Meet the Ancestors

Season 4

2001 · 6 episodes

  1. 1. The Killing Field

    2001-01-09 · 30m

    Richards investigates a field where a mass of ancient bones was unearthed in 1968. The team slowly piece together evidence of a battle that took place more than 3,000 years ago, and build up a surprising picture.

  2. 2. Bishop's Men

    2001-01-16 · 30m

    Richards investigates a medieval burial site unearthed beneath the walls of Hereford Cathedral that revealed six skeletons clutching chalices and patens, suggesting they were priests and pieces together a picture of their lifestyles, which included pilgrimages, drinking and womanising.

  3. 3. Winds of Change

    2001-01-23 · 30m

    Richards investigates six Anglo-Saxon graves in the sand dunes near Bamburgh Castle, which could provide an insight into the life of King Oswald of Bernicia. Initially discovered when a storm exposed some remains in 1817, it is only recently that archaeologists have found the complete burial ground.

  4. 4. The Architect, the Clerk and the Money

    2001-01-30 · 30m

    Richards explores the life of Lawrence Spencer, clerk of works to Christopher Wren during the construction of St Paul's Cathedral. His devotion to the task earned him the right to be buried under the south transept of what is arguably the country's finest neoclassical building.

  5. 5. The Ultimate Sacrifice

    2001-02-06 · 30m

    Richards contemplates the gruesome fate of a Neolithic woman and three children whose remains were discovered in a Stone Age temple. Bones and teeth reveal a dark tale of these prehistoric wanderers, who may have made the ultimate sacrifice 5,000 years ago.

  6. 6. Treasures of the Dark Age

    2001-02-06 · 30m

    Richards investigates a burial ground in Peterborough unearthing artefacts from first and second-generation Anglians who settled in Britain, including bronze brooches, silver rings, amber beads and strange ivory objects.

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