S1E1: The Romans | Digging for Britain

Duration: 59'00''

Synopsis

Dr Alice Roberts follows a year of British archaeology. Roman finds include a fabulous Roman coin hoard found in Somerset and a man buried on a layer of dead animals.

Further Information

More clips from Digging for Britain

Northamptonshire | Digging for Britain

Northamptonshire | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2025 | 13'18''

Looking at the skeletons from 2023's Leicester Cathedral excavation, the burials become source material for a groundbreaking scientifi...

S10E3: Headless Romans and Anglo Saxon Gold | Digging for Britain

S10E3: Headless Romans and Anglo Saxon Gold | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2023 | 59'02''

A gatehouse riddled with Civil War bullets, a unique Iron Age shield made from bark and Roman burials with ...

S9E3: Norman Castle | Digging for Britain

S9E3: Norman Castle | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2022 | 58'58''

The best archaeology from the north of Britain, including Scotland's oldest railway, one of the best-preserved Norman castles and a...

Northamptonshire | Digging for Britain

Northamptonshire | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2025 | 13'18''

Looking at the skeletons from 2023's Leicester Cathedral excavation, the burials become source material for a groundbreaking scientifi...

S10E3: Headless Romans and Anglo Saxon Gold | Digging for Britain

S10E3: Headless Romans and Anglo Saxon Gold | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2023 | 59'02''

A gatehouse riddled with Civil War bullets, a unique Iron Age shield made from bark and Roman burials with ...

S9E3: Norman Castle | Digging for Britain

S9E3: Norman Castle | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2022 | 58'58''

The best archaeology from the north of Britain, including Scotland's oldest railway, one of the best-preserved Norman castles and a...

More resources about Romans

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

BBC HD | 2010 | 59'09''

David Dimbleby charts the last 2,000 years of Britain through its art and treasure. The first part begins with the Roman invasion ...

1: Boudicca's Rebellion | Battlefield Britain

1: Boudicca's Rebellion | Battlefield Britain

BBC Two | 2004 | 58'57''

Peter and Dan Snow on the battles that shaped our nation, starting almost 2,000 years ago with the revolt of the Iceni, led by ...

1: Julius Caesar: I Am Not King, But Caesar | I, Caesar

1: Julius Caesar: I Am Not King, But Caesar | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 49'04''

First of a six-part series that charts the rise and fall of the Roman Empire as reflected through six of its greatest...

1: Medicine and Religion | History File

1: Medicine and Religion | History File

BBC Two | 1998 | 24'02''

Programme begins with looking at Ancient Greece, then the Roman Empire then looking at Muslim and Christian links.

1: Roman Games | Games People Played

1: Roman Games | Games People Played

BBC Two | 1981 | 9'55''

Michael Dean presents a programme about early forms of games, in this case those used by the Romans.

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

BBC Four | 2010 | 58'57''

Michael Wood uncovers the history of Kibworth's first 1,000 years, with a Roman villa, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and evide...

1: The Gladiators | Colosseum

1: The Gladiators | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 47'02''

In AD80, the Colosseum is open for business. Roman emperor Titus plans 100 days of games to commemorate, including an epic battle to the death ...

2: Augustus: First of the Emperors | I, Caesar

2: Augustus: First of the Emperors | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'58''

In 44 BC, a teenage relative of Julius Caesar stepped in and triumphed over Mark Antony and Cleopatra in a brutal civil war, b...

2: Medicine, Public Health and Government | History File

2: Medicine, Public Health and Government | History File

BBC Two | 1989 | 18'57''

With the fall of the Roman Empire came the collapse of the public health system which they had initiated. What broug...

2: Streetlife | Meet the Romans with Mary Beard

2: Streetlife | Meet the Romans with Mary Beard

BBC HD | 2012 | 59'02''

Professor Mary Beard discovers the crime and slum conditions in the world's first high-rise city.

2: The Builder | Colosseum

2: The Builder | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'28''

Although master builder Haterius constructs the Colosseum where Nero’s Golden House once stood, his work is far from over. Rome's new emperor, Dom...

3: Attila the Hun | Heroes and Villains

3: Attila the Hun | Heroes and Villains

BBC One | 2007 | 59'21''

Exploring the myth of the crude savage Attila. Part genius, part psychopath, Attila is unlike the other Huns. A calculating, ruthless...

3: Behind Closed Doors | Meet the Romans with Mary Beard

3: Behind Closed Doors | Meet the Romans with Mary Beard

BBC HD | 2012 | 59'05''

Mary Beard goes behind the closed doors of Roman homes to explore their family life.

3: Nero: Power and the Madness | I, Caesar

3: Nero: Power and the Madness | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'49''

Nero's rule was characterized by an obsession with his artistic talents, and sullied by corruption, sexual debauchery, matricide, ...

3: Romans | Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth

3: Romans | Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth

BBC Four | 2013 | 59'09''

Dr Michael Scott explores how the Romans absorbed Greek theatre and how their empire provides a crucial connection bet...

3: The Beastmaster | Colosseum

3: The Beastmaster | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'32''

Over a million animals are slaughtered on the sands of the arena by trained beastmasters, none more famous than Carpophorus. But when met with...

3: The Word and the Sword | Andrew Marr's History of the World

3: The Word and the Sword | Andrew Marr's History of the World

BBC One | 2012 | 59'17''

In this episode, Andrew Marr examines the spiritual revolutions that shook the world between 300 BC and 700 AD.

4: Hadrian: Within These Walls | I, Caesar

4: Hadrian: Within These Walls | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 49'18''

In AD 117, Hadrian came to power, shocking Rome with policies that halted expansion and focused on consolidation.

4: The Gladiatrix | Colosseum

4: The Gladiatrix | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'32''

When the Emperor Trajan stages his great games of AD107, the crowd is treated to a rare spectacle - female gladiators. A Roman named Mevia illu...

5: Constantine: Bearing the Cross | I, Caesar

5: Constantine: Bearing the Cross | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 49'09''

This episode looks at the reign of Constantine, who in the 4th century revived a Roman world in crisis and changed the course o...

More from Alice Roberts

Northamptonshire | Digging for Britain

Northamptonshire | Digging for Britain

BBC Two | 2025 | 13'18''

Looking at the skeletons from 2023's Leicester Cathedral excavation, the burials become source material for a groundbreaking scientifi...

The perfect human? | Can science make me perfect? With Alice Roberts

The perfect human? | Can science make me perfect? With Alice Roberts

BBC Four | 2020 | 5'29''

What evolution has provided us with is a human body that works as a whole package: you can't replace ind...

Victorian living conditions | Britain's Biggest Dig

Victorian living conditions | Britain's Biggest Dig

BBC Two | 2020 | 8'04''

Dr Yasmin Khan discovers the awful living conditions the workers during the Industrial Revolution had put up with.

Salad dressing and calories | Britain's Favourite Foods - Are They Good for You?

Salad dressing and calories | Britain's Favourite Foods - Are They Good for You?

BBC Two | 2015 | 1'59''

Alice demonstrates how a calorie is measured by burning lettuce leaves, one with dressing an...

Episode 3 | The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice with Alice Roberts and Neil Oliver

Episode 3 | The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice with Alice Roberts and Neil Oliver

BBC Two | 2015 | 58'33''

The Roman army turns its attention to an island of rich resources, powerful tribes and dr...

The Roman domination of the known world | A Timewatch Guide

The Roman domination of the known world | A Timewatch Guide

BBC Four | 2015 | 3'44''

Using years of BBC history archive film, Alice Roberts investigates how the domination of the Romans has been rep...

Percy Shelleys corrections | The Secret Life of Books

Percy Shelleys corrections | The Secret Life of Books

BBC Four | 2014 | 4'31''

Alice Roberts looks at an original manuscript of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' which exhibits Percy Shelley's edits.

What Makes a Human? | Horizon

What Makes a Human? | Horizon

BBC Two | 2013 | 59'02''

Professor Alice Roberts investigates what exactly makes human beings different from the animal kingdom. What is it that truly makes us human?

Woolly Mammoth: Secrets from the Ice

Woolly Mammoth: Secrets from the Ice

BBC Two | 2012 | 59'07''

Professor Alice Roberts on the natural history of the woolly mammoth, revealing adaptations that helped the species evolve from their or...

The immune system and white blood cells | Dr Alice Roberts: Don't Die Young

The immune system and white blood cells | Dr Alice Roberts: Don't Die Young

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'09''

Alice describes how the immune system works and what white blood cells do when we're ill.