TIME Team has been back in Purbeck to explore the ancient landscape – 30 years after the first ever episode of the TV show was filmed in the area.

Although the much-loved Channel 4 show ended in 2014, since 2021 it has been running via the fundraising website, Patreon.

Team members continue to explore historic sites, revealing information of selected areas, with fans subscribing to watch episodes and receive special extras, such as behind-the-scenes clips and more.

And over the weekend of September 15-17, the team was in Purbeck, investigating an ‘intriguing Iron Age landscape’ near Corfe Castle.

The excavation coincided with the 30th anniversary of filming Time Team’s first episode, back in 1993, which aired the following year.

READ MORE: Click here for more history news from your Purbeck Gazette

Time Team’s creator and series producer, Tim Taylor, said: “We couldn’t hope for a better site to celebrate three decades of Time Team.

“I still can’t believe it’s been that long, but here’s to the next 30 years.”

The dig marked 30 years since the Channel 4 show recorded in Purbeck. Pictures: Time Team

The Dorset site, which the team said is ‘brimming with archaeology’, was put forward by Time Team’s own Dr Derek Pitman and Dr Lawrence Shaw.

Dr Pitman said: “I’ve honestly never seen so much archaeology in a single trench before. We think this is the tip of something much bigger. We’re in for a treat.”

For more details on Time Team, log on to www.patreon.com/TimeTeamOfficial.