Durrington Walls 10
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Durrington Walls

Time Team Special

I just watched it this morning on tape and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some TT knockers are just too cynical for words. It is a programme for the general public and not intended for TMA regulars who know quite a lot about prehistory. So of course it is necessary to get someone to spell out what a henge is. TR does annoy me too, but don't be fooled. He knows an awful lot more than he lets on. - His job is to ask the naive questions on behalf of the naive viewers.

Leaving aside the 3 day gallops, Timeteam is at its best when it allows us into a proper dig and this one is set to run for ten years. No way did I agree with all that was said, but that is part of the fun of finding out. Who wants dogmatic orthodox unchallengable opinion? Good to listen to conflicting theories which are honestly modified as more information is gathered. If I'm still around in 10 years time, I look forward to reading the full account.

What really impressed me was gaining an appreciation of the vast number of people that would have been required to work at Durrington. Where did they live, how were they fed, where were all the animals kept to feed them, how much land was farmed to provide the grain etc

And then if all of that was going on at Durrington at the same time that stones were being erected at Stonehenge!! Surely the entire population of southern Britain must have been on the job.

Excellent and I'll watch the tape again and again.

I liked it too. I think TT is good at bringing to life what would be to most people a dull hole in a field. And ah, Victor Ambrus, what a star. I just wish they'd computered-up the posts so they were colourful / carved / flapping with flags etc.

I don't much like it when they recap after every advert break like I have the memory of a fruit fly or something. But that seems to be fashionable for a lot of programmes.

If it leaves you with questions and Points of Argument that is also good - at least it's not presented as The Truth, and they admit that lots of it is just speculation. Well, sometimes. And then you'll be geared up to find out more. Which is a good thing.