Dr Steve Willis, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology in the Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies, will appear in episode three of the Channel 4 series Britain’s Ancient Tracks on Saturday 5 November 2016.
The series is presented by Tony Robinson, who explores the mysteries and legends of a network of ancient trackways that crisscross Britain and have been travelled for over 5,000 years. Walked by pilgrims and traders, hunters and invaders, Celts and Romans, Saxons and Vikings, each track is bound up in myth and mystery but with facts and evidence along the way that create firm links with the ancient past.
In episode three, Tony travels the North Downs Way, thought to have been a prehistoric highway linking Britain to the continent. The track was used by Celts and Romans alike, and Tony investigates some of the megaliths, burial sites, supposed ley lines and hidden caves that lie alongside the route. Travelling from the cliffs at Folkestone to Down House in the North Downs, Tony is joined by Steve at Bigbury Iron Age hillfort, just outside Canterbury. Following Julius Caesar’s account, it is generally believed there was a huge battle between the Ancient Britons and the invading Roman army at the site. The visit features a remarkably well-preserved war helmet dating to the time of Julius Caesar’s invasions of Britain found recently just outside Canterbury, and a replica copy.
Steve says: ‘It is great to see this really significant site being profiled on television. Our Undergraduate and Masters students visit and study the site as part of their degree programmes at Kent, while our PhD student Andy Bates has been undertaking pioneering research at the site, assisted by our Archaeology Technician Lloyd Bosworth; Lloyd has worked with Canterbury Museums and the Kent Wildlife Trust to promote awareness of the site and this remarkable helmet. Archaeologists are searching for traces of Julius Caesar’s visits to Britain and Bigbury is highly important for it relates to the beginning of the story of Roman Britain.’
The programme will be broadcast at 8pm and the whole series will also be available on Channel 4’s On Demand service.
For more details, please see the Channel 4 page here: www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-ancient-tracks-with-tony-robinson/episode-guide