Here you will find stories of the individuals involved in the digs, pictures and descriptions of the most important finds, VR and movie clips from behind the scenes with the experts and programme-makers who produce Time Team. In addition, through our links and recommended reading, you can delve deeper into any of the subjects that the excavations brought to light.

You can also find out more about past archaeological triumphs in Canterbury and about its illustrious history. And you can discuss all these things with others on the Time Team Forum.

Canterbury has been a major Christian centre since Augustine founded an abbey here at the end of the 6th century. But the murder in 1170 of its archbishop was the making of medieval Canterbury. Pilgrims from across Europe flocked to the city to worship at the tomb of Thomas Becket. And within 50 years of his death, Canterbury had become home to the first Franciscan friary in England, among a plethora of other religious houses.

Time Team excavated Greyfriars, Britain's first Franciscan friary; a site at Blue Boy Yard, within the precincts of the former Roman temple; and the medieval tile-making complex just outside the city at Tyler Hill. They also looked at medieval Canterbury itself, and, with a bit of help from Chaucer and some local schoolchildren, at the life of a medieval pilgrim.

The ecclesiastical centre could not have developed without a myriad of support industries – including glass-stainers, ecclesiastical architects and tilers. Every religious house needed tiles for roofs and floors and, by the 12th century, quite an industry had become established on Tyler Hill overlooking the city. Time Team excavated this tile-manufacturing complex and explored the relationship between the ecclesiastical centre and its satellite support industries.

The Blue Boy Yard excavation, not far from the Greyfriars site, took the team through various layers of later occupation down to (and below) the original courtyard surface of the Roman temple.

The full story of Time Team Live 2000, including its problems of competing with live cricket on the Channel 4 programme schedules, is told in all its detail on this website

Behind the Scenes at Time Team
Now available in paperback, Time Team series producer Tim Taylor's book goes behind the scenes of Britain's best-known archaeology programme to bring you the lowdown on the digs, the programmes and the personalities.

Follow all the news and get all the background information about past and future Time Team programmes at the main Time Team website.




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Browse all programmes
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 live, 2001, 2000 live, 2000, 1999 live, 1999, 1998 live, 1998, 1997 live

Mick's last words
Mick Aston recorded this final update for the Time Team Live phone line just after the last programme had finished.

QuickTime panoramic gallery
View our panoramic picture gallery of the Live sites and events.

Finds gallery
Visit the finds gallery to see some of the many artefacts that were unearthed.

Amazing illustrations
For an artist's reconstruction of the Canterbury sites check out the fabulous illustrations by Victor Ambrus.

Movies
The web team took their own mini camera crew to Canterbury. View our selection of movie clips featuring the leading personalities at the Live event.

St Peter's School
played host to Time Team Live. An interview with the head, a movie clip and a colourful timeline prepared by the pupils are featured here.

Try Sandi's quizzes
Time Team Live quiz

Kiln Building
Renowned kiln-building specialist, Beryl Hines talks about the processes involved with this year's reconstruction cameo.

Live on air
Tony Robinson talks about the pressures – and pleasures – of live TV at the end of a frantic second day filming Time Team Live in Canterbury.
View QuickTime movie
View RealPlayer video

Biographies
Meet some of the people working hard behind the scenes at Time Team Live.

Miscellaneous
A few other odds 'n' sods from Canterbury.

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