The unscreened cameo

It's not always possible to find the time in every programme to fit in the 'cameos', or archaeological reconstructions, that are filmed on Time Team digs. This is especially so when a lot of finds are made on a site, it covers a long period and there is a complicated story (or stories) to be told. This was the case at Standish, with the result that metalworker Hector Cole's reconstruction of an iron tool that was found on the site did not feature in the programme itself.

Ros Ereira, cameo producer

When Paul Bevan, the owner of the land at Standish, showed us an iron tool he had found in the plough-soil of the site, we decided that we should try to reproduce it in order to find out more about what it was and how it might have been used. Paul felt sure that it was an axe, but Hector Cole, the metalworker we brought in to reproduce the find, thought it might have been a chisel. So he made us two replicas, and we fitted them with different handles, one for use as a chisel and the other as an axe, so that we could try them out and see how well they worked.

It was very exciting to have the opportunity to try out these tools, and to see how they may have been used in the Iron Age, as well as having the chance to see Hector at work, which is always a real pleasure.

Hector Cole
Hector Cole is a silver-medal holder of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and is a leading specialist in the forging of replica iron artefacts. He has an in-depth knowledge of the forging of Saxon pattern welded swords, knives and spears. Hector's archaeological reproductions can be seen in museums around the world.

For further information about his work, visit his website at:
www.hectorcoleironwork.co.uk

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third-party sites.

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