Do you worry that the growing popularity of archaeology, thanks in part to Time Team, may result in enthusiastic, but untrained, amateurs damaging finds and sites?

As well as helping to popularise archaeology, Time Team tries hard to educate its audience in basic archaeological principles – the importance of the context in which finds are made, the need for careful excavation and handling, the information that can be obtained from material that may have no other value, the need to work closely with experts, and so on. The belief is that when people understand how archaeology works they will treat archaeological remains with greater respect. By encouraging enthusiasts to join local archaeological societies, the Team hopes to channel the growing popularity of the subject in a positive direction.