Meet the Ancestors

Synopsis

Series in which archaeology sheds light on history by unearthing secrets of the past.
1: In the winter of 1996-97 potholers in the Yorkshire Dales stumbled upon the 3500-year-old remains of human burials as well as the first prehistoric footprint found in a British cave. From two pieces of skull found in a Bronze Age burial chamber it is possible to reconstruct the person’s face.
2: Women’s bodies 1200 years old were discovered under sand dunes near Donegal, along with evidence of cremations of nearly 2000 years ago. Archaeologists investigate these burials as a picture emerges of the lives and deaths of the first Christians in Ireland.
3: A Roman sarcophagus, unearthed in the summer of 1997 in Mangotsfield near Bristol, was found to have been buried for centuries. The archaeological team investigates why it was located there, who the two occupants of the coffin were, and other facets of Roman life in Britain.
4: In the summer of 1997 a coffin dating to medieval times was unearthed in the area of Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire. Examines the history behind the grave. Includes a 3-D computer reconstruction of the corpse’s head.
5: The remains of two bodies found near the Somerset village of Bleadon, along with grain, oats and animal bone remains are investigated, with assistance from a bone specialist, a seed specialist and a DNA expert analysing the blood of Bleadon residents. A picture of an Iron Age farmer emerges.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 5 x 30 min.

Year of production

1998

Availability

Sale; 1997 sale: £29.00 (inclusive)

Notes

Broadcast on BBC2 from 8/1/98.

Documentation

Accompanying booklet available, price £4.95.

Subjects

Archaeology

Keywords

archaeological investigation; England; Ireland; prehistoric sites

Credits

Producer

Ian Potts

Contributor

Caroline van den Brul

Cast

Julian Richards

Sections

Title

Wolf den, The

Synopsis

1: In the winter of 1996-97 potholers in the Yorkshire Dales stumbled upon the 3500-year-old remains of human burials as well as the first prehistoric footprint found in a British cave. From two pieces of skull found in a Bronze Age burial chamber it is p

Title

Lady of the sands, The

Synopsis

2: Women's bodies 1200 years old were discovered under sand dunes near Donegal, along with evidence of cremations of nearly 2000 years ago. Archaeologists investigate these burials as a picture emerges of the lives and deaths of the first Christians in Ir

Title

Friends, Romans or countrymen?

Synopsis

3: A Roman sarcophagus, unearthed in the summer of 1997 in Mangotsfield near Bristol, was found to have been buried for centuries. The archaeological team investigates why it was located there, who the two occupants of the coffin were, and other facets of

Title

Rose garden mystery, The

Synopsis

4: In the summer of 1997 a coffin dating to medieval times was unearthed in the area of Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire. Examines the history behind the grave. Includes a 3-D computer reconstruction of the corpse's head.

Title

Bones in the barnyard

Synopsis

5: The remains of two bodies found near the Somerset village of Bleadon, along with grain, oats and animal bone remains are investigated, with assistance from a bone specialist, a seed specialist and a DNA expert analysing the blood of Bleadon residents.

Distributor

Name

BBC Education, PO Box 5620, Newbury, Berks RG14 2YA