Locations Visited

Episode 1: Winwick nr. Warrington

Winwick is a district of Warrington, Mark Olly's home town. No shopping centre, garden fete or fair is complete without our intrepid archaeologist and his historical re-enactment societies causing mayhem. On a more peaceful sojourn for this programme, Mark returned to the locations which form the subjects of his books on the area.

Mark takes us to the discovery of a Stone Age circle, a 3,500 year old cemetery and two little known battles from different eras involving the Saxons and evidence of earthworks from another one which saw 1000 men killed mainly from the Royalist army retreating from Preston. Civil War expert Dr Peter Gaunt explains what the mystery mound was used for.

Episode 2: Llanarmon yn lal

What self respecting bearded TV archaeologist is not filmed drinking decent ale in the local pub? Mark is no exception but quickly convinced us that imbibing was all part of the research. The Raven dates back to 1722 and is situated on the main cattle drovers' route. Its current licensees Chris and Jan were a mine of information. Oh and if you have a thing about shoes, this programme is for you.

Trust our caveman Mark to find a piece of stone age anatomy in a cave. Other prehistoric finds abound as a Mesolithic flint works was discovered in a lady's back garden.

But it's the The Dark Age mystery of St. Garmon which forms the centre of our visit to this fascinating enclave deep in the heart of the North Wales countryside. Mark takes you to the spot of St.Garmon's Holy Well, a medieval hermitage and another new discovery surrounding St. Garmon literally served up on a plate as we turned up to film around the church.

Episode 3: Daresbury and Halton

Daresbury was the birthplace of Lewis Carroll. But just when you think it is safe to go down the tried and trusted rabbit holes our Alice introduces us to lesser know delights in the Wonderland. We were fashionably late for a very important date, but finally traced the origins of the Cheshire Cat right back to 650 BC and a link with the Phonecians.

It's not easy to imagine old Halton which is now surrounded by industry. But if, like Mark, you look carefully enough you can find little clues to some of the missing Danelaw forts of King Alfred. Through computer generated imagery Mark helps to piece together how important Halton was strategically over the centuries.

Not to be outdone King Arthur enters the fray and we find ourselves on Helsby Hill wondering why Sir Gawain's story found its way to the site of a Roman fort.

Episode 4: Wirral, North Lancashire & Isle of Man

Ah the Vikings! What image do these people conjure up for you? Long hair, beards, swords, Kirk Douglas, Mark Olly? Our man traces their arrival down the Mersey and looks at landing points at places like Widnes, Wirral, Chester and near Preston. Picture the scene. It's the late 9th century and you wake up one morning from your well stocked farmstead on the edge of the Mersey. You spy Viking longships moving at some speed towards you.

There's nothing like a bit of good old fashioned Viking story telling to stop people watching Eastenders on the other side. Take the Curdely Dragon for example. This flying beast decided that he would help himself to a few lamb dinners. Dragon vegetarians were few and far between so who can blame him? The local blacksmith hatched a plan to put a stop to this, forged a sword and dressed up as a calf. The dragon took the bait but the blacksmith quickly plunged the sword into the dragon's heart. The locals hailed Smithy as a hero and proudly displayed the calfskin. There it remained…until the 1880's when it was mysteriously nicked.

Mark pieces together the clues of this ancient mystery. For every legend there is a history. What was it? Where was the incident? Where is the calfskin? What was ailing the Vikings? Why is Mark in the pub again?


Episode 5: Knutsford and Tatton

Knutsford is today a rather affluent part of Cheshire while Tatton Park attracts visitors to its beautiful hall and gardens. The lie of land, vicinity to water and other natural features such as glacial valleys make certain places desirable to set up a home or a military centre. Tatton is in fact an ancient park with a natural ford. Generations of communities have found this to be an attractive place to live. Knutsford has some unusual buildings. Why?

Mark Olly traces the story right back to the Ice Age and reconstructs Ice Age Tatton and Knustford back to around half a million years BC. But Mark watches his back as Jenny, Lesley and Heather bring their Ice Age tools into the fray. It all makes for a lightning tour across the Millennia.



Episode 6: Chester

Chester is known internationally as a Roman camp. Any archaeologist worth his Nantwich Salt would spend a little time at the amphitheatre finding out what colleagues in the profession have been discovering. Mark is however also interested in what lies beneath Mr. Humphrey's garden where gravestones are found. Not to be outdone, his neighbour leans over the garden wall and wonders if Mark would like to see what is in her shed. Careful Mark!

Over to the Grosvenor Museum and the controversial Mr. Olly challenges the long held belief that the smashed skulls are those of Welsh Britons slain during the Battle of Chester in 613. Here we find one of the largest battle cemeteries ever discovered on British soil. Our guest weapons expert Mike Lodes wades in with a few theories of his own.