What is involved in filming Time Team programmes?

By early spring we've usually begun to settle on the first batch of seven or eight programmes for that year's filming. The researchers, Jenni and Pippa, and the assistant producers, Ella and Nick, are travelling around the country talking to archaeologists and checking all the background on the sites. In some cases sites are scheduled, which means lengthy research designs have to be drawn up before we are allowed to excavate. It's at this stage that the researchers have to make sure the sites they really like – we all end up with our own particular favourites – have got all the necessary elements.

Different areas need to be clarified. Are all the correct permissions in place, are landowners happy, how does the site compare in the Sites and Monuments record? We then have to be as sure as possible that each site will produce good archaeology, and make ourselves familiar with the type of artefacts we are likely to find. One of the main questions hanging over every site is whether there is a genuine mystery or intriguing question waiting to be answered.

At the beginning of the planning stage we create a shortlist. Mick and I go through the list and discuss each site. We also talk with the directors and try to establish who will direct each programme. Once the selection is made we have to get final clearance from our commissioning editor at Channel 4, Ben Frow.

As soon as the go-ahead has been given the production team swing into action, booking hotels, organising travel and checking the availability of crews and archaeologists. Time Team in action involves anything from 45 to over 100 people, and as you can imagine a whole range of logistical problems need to be sorted out. These can be anything from where to find a big enough mechanical excavator in the middle of London, to making sure the large number of vegetarians on the team are catered for.