Unearthing Medieval and Elizabethan Iron Furnaces in Staffordshire

Step back in time as Time Team uncovers hidden secrets of iron making in Staffordshire, from medieval bloomeries to an Elizabethan blast furnace - all beneath one garden! Join the team as they return to Furness Cottage in the Chernet Valley, where a simple test pit unearthed traces of medieval iron working, pushing the story of this quiet corner back centuries. In this episode, Time Team digs deeper, searching for evidence of both a 16th-century blast furnace and an even older medieval bloomery. Discover how iron production shaped the landscape, from woodland management for charcoal to water-powered bellows that revolutionized smelting. Along the way, the team unravels industrial mysteries, debates excavation strategies, and builds a working replica of a medieval furnace to experience history firsthand. Watch as archaeological trenches reveal layers of slag, pottery, and the remnants of ancient furnaces. Learn about the lives of the workers, including names preserved in centuries-old account books, and see how experimental archaeology brings the past to life. The search expands to nearby East Wall Farm, where the team makes a groundbreaking discovery - a remarkably well-preserved, water-powered medieval bloomery, a rare technological link bridging the gap to later blast furnaces. Through geophysical surveys, expert analysis, and a few surprises, this dig tells the thousand-year story of iron making in the Chernet Valley, transforming our understanding of England’s industrial heritage. #Archaeology #TimeTeam #IronMaking #ElizabethanFurnace #MedievalBloomery #StaffordshireHistory #ExperimentalArchaeology #IndustrialHeritage