Why do Time Team excavations last just three days?

The archaeologists and experts used in Time Team programmes all have jobs and most can only get away for three days at a time. In addition, budgetary constraints mean that technical crew – all those essential personnel behind the cameras (and each Time Team shoot involves 45-50 people) – can only be employed for as long as absolutely necessary. After all, Channel 4 has a lot of programmes to make besides Time Team. There is a third reason too, of course – having a time limit makes for better television!