Team List (Images)

Tim Taylor

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:23:10 GMT

Tim Taylor is the Creator and Series Producer of Time Team.

He has been a Visiting Industrial Professor at the University of Bristol, and has received a Visiting Professorship in Archaeology in the Media from the University of Exeter.

Tim has written many bestselling books, including 'The World Atlas of Archaeology', written in collaboration with Professor Mick Aston.

Sir Tony Robinson

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:25:35 GMT

Tony Robinson is the original series presenter of Time Team. His acting career has made him familiar to many following his role as Baldrick in Blackadder and as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Maid Marion and Her Merry Men, which he also wrote. Tony has a keen interest in history and archaeology – and is president of the Young Archaeologists' Club. In addition, Tony has written a range of children's book as well as books on archaeology, including 'Archaeology is Rubbish - A Beginners Guide' which he co-wrote alongside Professor Mick Aston. Tony continues his long association with Time Team presenting brand new documentary Specials, including the recent 'Digging Band of Brothers' and the upcoming Sutton Hoo excavation.

Mick Aston (1946-2013)

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:24:43 GMT

Professor Michael Antony ‘Mick’ Aston was Time Team’s much-loved Archaeological Consultant. After university, he worked as Somerset's first County Archaeologist before returning to university as a lecturer. Mick’s passion for archaeology has spilled into several books, ranging from academic texts through to guides for the general public. Mick became iconic to the viewing public for his trademark colourful jumpers and flowing, unkempt hair. Always a big presence, both on and off screen, Mick’s huge contribution to Time Team and the field of archaeology cannot be overplayed.

Mick, In Memoriam

“I’ll never forget Mick captivating a group of school children at Ribchester over the importance of some small finds. He noted how even the smallest, unglamorous find can tell us something about the past. Despite being on a Roman site, we had discovered a Victorian ivory toothbrush from later occupation. Mick spoke in a fascinating way about where that ivory might have come from, what it said about personal hygiene and how a simple object like this can reveal a great deal.

Another fond early memory of Mick is our visit to the church at Dorchester on Thames on the pilot programme. Mick pointed out all the features that would enable us to read the history of the building. He had a great eye for the small details that previous alterations had left in the outside walls. As an aside, he noted that a church should be circled in a specific way (clockwise) or you would, by going in the opposite direction to the nature route of the sun, be in a state of ‘widdershins’ which was not good!

This was Mick through and through. He was a fount of knowledge and had a sharp wit to match. His passion for archaeology and history was infectious, and his insights brought great colour to Time Team. His great skill was in bringing the past to life in an accessible way that everyone could visualise. We still often hear from fans of the show who were inspired to become professional archaeologists, all thanks to watching Mick!

Mick and I first worked together back in 1988 on Time Signs, the pre-cursor to Time Team. This short-lived show marked the start of a great friendship extending across three decades. Mick was one of a kind and is sadly missed by all. However, his legacy lives on in the many great memories and the contributions to archaeology that he left behind.”

Tim Taylor, 2019

Natalie Haynes

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:02:54 GMT

Natalie Haynes is an acclaimed author, classicist, comedian and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s much-loved Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics. Natalie’s critically praised book Pandora’s Jar, which examines women in Greek mythology in her unique voice, has won fans from Margaret Atwood to Mark Haddon. “I’m thrilled to be joining Time Team,” adds Natalie. “I’ve spent years poring over archaeological finds in museum catalogues and academic papers, and now I get to be there for the discovery! I can’t wait to get started, and I can’t wait to be working with Gus and all the other experts. It will be such a treat.”

Gus Casely-Hayford OBE

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:00:03 GMT

Gus is an historian, museum curator and broadcaster, currently serving as inaugural Director of V&A East, London. No stranger to filmmaking, Gus’s presenting credits include Lost Kingdoms of Africa and The Culture Show for the BBC, The Genius of British Art on Channel 4, and Tate Walks for Sky Arts. “What an utter privilege to join the timelessly enjoyable and ever informative Time Team, says Gus. “There can be little more thrilling than uncovering ancient material culture, piecing together its context, contesting the possible histories – and all alongside our audiences. I cannot wait!”

Phil Harding

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:26:45 GMT

Phil Harding is Time Team's resident trench-excavator. Whilst not filming Phil still works as a field archaeologist with Wessex Archaeology, and has been involved in a project listing all known Palaeolithic sites in Britain. Phil has also completed a number of excavation reports – including some for Time Team – on sites ranging from the Palaeolithic to the Industrial Revolution. His famed flint-knapping continues to be demonstrated at craft shows and to local societies.

John Gater

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:26:14 GMT

John Gater is Time Team's Geophys expert. John has been involved in archaeological geophysics for many years, having worked for British Gas, the Ancient Monuments Laboratory (English Heritage) and Bradford University Research. In 1986, he set up Geophysical Surveys (later known as GSB Prospection), an independent consultancy in geophysics for archaeology. He is also associate editor of the Journal of Archaeological Prospection. John continues to lecture at Bradford University, on the Archaeological Sciences courses.

Victor Ambrus (1935-2021)

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:25:08 GMT

Victor Ambrus was the Time Team resident artist. Victor led an eventful life - back in 1956, he took part in the Hungarian Uprising. After escaping from a building with his fellow students when it came under fire from the Soviets, he eventually decided to leave his native Hungary and moved to England. After arriving in London, he continued his artistic dream and began to study at the Royal College of Art.

Whilst studying at the RCA, Victor embarked upon his first job as an illustrator, at just 20 years old. This first assignment was to illustrate the History of Britain for The Reader's Digest. This started his career as a historical illustrator, which has lead to him illustrating almost 300 books.

Victor sadly passed away on 10th February 2021. A Time Team tribute to this wonderful man's life and unique skills is available to watch here: "Victor Ambrus: A Time Team Tribute'

You can view some additional tributes from Time Team family and friends here.

Some of Victor's books are available to purchase through our Official shop here.

Stewart Ainsworth

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:26:30 GMT

Stewart Ainsworth is Time Team's Landscape Archaeologist. Stewart surveys, records and investigates archaeological sites. When not filming, Stewart also works as an investigator and project manager for English Heritage. Stewart has been interested in history since the age of eleven, after reading a book about Horatio Nelson. This, coupled with a visit to the Tower of London, confirmed his enthusiasm for the past and kindled his interest in the history of landscapes.

Carenza Lewis

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:39:31 GMT

Carenza was one of the original experts on Time Team, and remained on the show from the pilot episode through to 2004. She joined Corpus Christi College, Cambridge as a visiting fellow in 1999, and later established Access Cambridge Archaeology, an outreach programme designed to promote the study and benefits of archaeology. Carenza’s other television credits include House Detectives, What If, Sacred Sites and Michael Wood’s Story of England. She has authored several books, including Time Team’s Timechester: A Companion To Archaeology, with Phil Harding and Mick Aston. An expert in Medieval rural settlement, Carenza is currently Professor for the Public Understanding of Research at University of Lincoln. In 2020, Carenza founded Dig School with the CBA, University of Lincoln and Historic England.

Helen Geake

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:41:27 GMT

Helen’s interest in archaeology was sparked partly by attending lecturers by Time Team’s Mick. She studied at University College London and University of York, specialising in Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. She has worked at Norwich Castle Museum, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, Cambridge University and the British Museum. Helen first joined Time Team in 1998, appearing periodically as our Anglo Saxon expert, and more regularly from 2006 to 2010. Helen has also appeared in Britain’s Secret Treasures, presented by another Time Team veteran, Bettany Hughes.

Henry Chapman

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:26:01 GMT

Henry Chapman is the Time Team Surveyor. Henry, who took over from Bernard Thomason for the 2002 series, is principally responsible for all the surveying of the excavated trenches, artefacts and the geophysics grids. This is why you tend to see him with a variety of yellow technical equipment.

The data he collects with this GIS equipment is used to create the maps which bring all the different information together in order to understand the sites investigated by Time Team. Henry also creates the three-dimensional computer models of the sites and their landscapes, working closely with Stewart Ainsworth to get a fuller picture of the landscape archaeology and the environmental development.

Francis Pryor MBE

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:38:23 GMT

Francis was one of the key consultants on Time Team, and the resident Bronze Age and Iron Age expert. As well as being a popular personality on Time Team, he is also famed for the discovery of Flag Fen, a 3500 year old Bronze Age site near what is now Peterborough. He has written and co-written many books on archaeology and has recently turned his hand to fiction. He is a founding member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists, now known as the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. Francis was awarded an MBE in 1999 for services to tourism.

Sophie Kay

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:33:10 GMT

A former cancer researcher turned pro genealogist, Dr Sophie combines her expertise in DNA and archival records to explore the stories of the people and communities who once lived in Time Team’s dig locations. She first joined Time Team for the Modbury dig in Devon, which saw her delve into Civil War-era bullet casting, historical craft occupations, and trans-Atlantic migration. Never a dull moment!

Naomi Sewpaul

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:21:19 GMT

A regular face on Time Team over the years, we’re thrilled that archaeozoologist Naomi has joined us again for the new 2021 digs in Cornwall and Oxfordshire. Through her vast knowledge of environmental archaeology and flotation tank, Naomi brings a whole new level of insight, or – as she prefers to call it – ‘another roll of the dice’.

Matt Clark

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:23:00 GMT

Matt runs Shadow Tor Studios, a multimedia and video games development studio on the coast of Cornwall, producing detailed 3D environments, site and artefact reconstruction, photogrammetry and interactive tours. Matt first got involved with Time Team when joining the dig on Looe Island, a great episode practically on his doorstep. Matt’s more recent involvement with Time Team has involved the capturing and presentation of finds, from sherds of Bronze Age pottery to historic coins, creating virtual tours, rendering artefacts and 3D models or producing digital replicas.

Adam Stanford

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:27:52 GMT

Adam is the director of ASGS (AS Geospatial Surveys Ltd) and a key weapon in Time Team’s new arsenal. Employing the latest techniques and drone technology, Adam is helping Time Team to survey and map archaeological sites with pinpoint accuracy. His photogrammetry surveys enable sites to be reconstructed in incredible detail as interactive 3D models.

Alice Roberts

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:42:26 GMT

Alice Roberts is an evolutionary biologist and biological anthropologist, known to many as a television presenter on several popular shows, from Coast to Horizon and BBC 2's Digging For Britain. However, she made her television presenting debut on Time Team Live in 2001, going on to appear regularly as a bone specialist. Notably, she was involved in the Big Royal Dig special, featuring digs at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace. Alice is currently Professor of the Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham.

Brigid Gallagher

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 17:27:05 GMT

Brigid is an experienced archaeologist and conservator with a degree in Anthropology and Physical Geography, who brought her vast knowledge of geology and conservation skills to Time Team. Having returned to her native New Zealand, she now runs a heritage consultancy with her husband, Raysan. Brigid presents the series Heritage Rescue, and will be lending her expertise remotely to Time Team’s 2021 digs.

Dani Wootton

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 08:20:07 GMT

Dani is a small finds specialist, community archaeology, and popular regular presenter on Time Team's YouTube and Patreon channels. Dani has appeared on Time Team many times and managed the finds processing tent at our 2021 digs in Cornwall and Oxfordshire. Dani played an active role in our Dig Village project in Dunster, Somerset, while also lending her expertise for the accompanying book, Time Team's Dig Village by Tim Taylor.