Digging for Britain Specials

Professor Alice Roberts and archaeologist Matt Williams present the highlights from this year's archaeology in Ireland. There is new evidence and a new theory to explain the amazing phenomenon of Ireland's perfectly preserved Iron Age bog bodies. Could these men really have been kings, murdered when their reigns failed? A dig at the iconic Dunluce Castle opens up the controversial Plantation of Ulster. A disagreement pits experts against local knowledge as the hunt is on for the location of the Battle of Ford of the Biscuits from the Elizabethan Nine Years' War - with unexpected results. A burial ground yields clues to a Bronze Age invasion of Ireland, a period when it became known as Europe's Eldorado. An astonishing lough yields perfectly preserved boats from Bronze, Iron and Viking Ages. The burial ground of the prison known as Ireland's Alcatraz offers up unexpected evidence of kindness among the inmates. Plus amazing plunder from the Spanish Armada, from Viking raiders and from Ireland's age of heroes, all curated from the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

Professor Alice Roberts re-examines key archaeological sites of prehistoric Britain, from the arrival of the earliest humans to mysterious ceremonies at Stonehenge.

Professor Alice Roberts re-examines the key archaeological sites of Iron Age Britain, from an incredible chariot burial in Yorkshire to a vast coin hoard on Jersey.

Professor Alice Roberts re-examines the key archaeological sites of Roman Britain, from the foundation of Londinium in the south to fierce siege battles in the north.

Professor Alice Roberts re-examines the key archaeological sites of Anglo-Saxon Britain and finds the evidence of a warrior culture and the enormous wealth of their aristocracy.