Behind the scenes with Raksha Dave

For this programme Time Team excavated a broch. Once again, we got the inside story from regular Time Team digger, Raksha Dave.

As a Time Team digger you get to excavate archaeological sites from all the different periods. Does the Iron Age grab you, or do you have a period you'd rather be digging?
I am a generalist – always have been and always will be. I don't have a particular period that I'm into; I just enjoy how a site emerges from excavation. It always fascinates me how much a site can change and how much information we can glean. I would say that I'm pretty lucky to have worked on so many different sites. How many people can say they've dug up a broch?

What particular part of this site and its story interested you?
All of it was pretty amazing. First of all, I didn't even know what a broch was. I was intrigued and interested to find out more about brochs and their function. I can't say that I'm now the world's leading broch specialist, but I can now talk about it without sounding stupid.

What was the best thing about the Applecross programme for you?
It has to be the amazing landscape and the death-defying drive up the highest pass in Britain every morning. Oh, and back down again! There are no words to describe how beautiful Applecross is, and I thoroughly recommend anyone to go and visit. The other best thing was working with little Daniel. He is Nick Goldthorpe's son (the campsite owner). I have never seen a six year old so enthusiastic about archaeology. He worked with me for an afternoon and it was a pleasure.

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