Summary
Highlights
A local man discovers a Bronze Axe and a mysterious circle of eroded timber posts with a huge upturned tree stump in the middle on the Norfolk coastline. English Heritage decides to excavate it, confirming its Bronze Age origin, leading to a four-month period to remove and preserve the timbers before they are destroyed by the sea.
Local people express outrage over English Heritage's decision to excavate, especially after a chainsaw was used to take a sample for dendro-dating. Protesters, including modern-day Druids, argue that the site should be left undisturbed as a sacred monument, leading to on-site confrontations and legal challenges to stop the excavation.
The excavation faces delays due to delicate wood, thick mud, and protests. The team begins to uplift the fragile timbers. Meanwhile, the Time Team starts a full-scale reconstruction, aiming to use only Bronze Age technology. They begin by replicating Bronze Age axe heads to fell trees for the reconstruction, closely examining tool marks on the excavated timbers.
The controversial sample from the central stump allows scientists to precisely date the circle to 2049 BC. With the Druids' legal action dismissed, archaeologists gain an injunction, allowing them to resume the excavation, including the removal of the critical central tree stump.
The central tree stump is successfully lifted. Maezy discovers three twisted strands of honeysuckle in a notch on the stump, leading to the theory that they were used as pulling ropes. Further analysis confirms the tree was upright when grooves were cut, indicating it was moved to the site rather than found where it fell, suggesting significant engineering effort.
The team re-evaluates methods for moving the two-ton stump for the reconstruction. Damian Sanders develops a robust honeysuckle rope. They learn the original structure would have been rustic with uneven oaks. The team uses manual labor and skids to move the reconstructed stump, showcasing the immense effort required by Bronze Age builders.
The reconstructed circle generates debate among archaeologists about its purpose. Some suggest it was a mortuary house or a symbol of life pointing to another world, aligning with seasonal cycles common in other British prehistoric sites like Stonehenge. The experience highlights the power and mystery of the site, even today.
The archaeologists reflect on the importance of combining scientific analysis with a broader understanding of the site's religious and cultural significance. Francis expresses a desire to engage more with groups like the pagans in future discoveries, emphasizing the shared interest in preserving and understanding the past.