Digging Up Britain's Past

Helen Skelton and Alex Langlands head to Lindisfarne and the Isle of Man to uncover the secrets of Viking burial grounds.

Elsyng Palace was one of nearly 60 royal residences owned by Henry Vlll, but for centuries its exact location was unknown. Now Helen Skelton and Alex Langlands join a new dig which is unearthing more clues to Henry's life and times.

Once thought to be a Roman temple, we now know Stonehenge has been around much longer. Alex Langlands investigations the unique properties of the stones that make up the monument, while Helen Skelton visits the nearby village where its builders lived.

According to legend, King John was the sworn enemy of Robin Hood. Although Robin is probably a mythical character, there are strong reasons why the King stirred widespread resentment among ordinary people. A recent dig uncovered evidence of the King's lavish lifestyle.

A site on the Welsh border containing almost 1,000 skeletons reveals secrets about life during the Black Death, including signs of backbreaking agricultural work, poor nutrition and even medieval battle.

Can a site on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border shed more light on the Pendle Witch trials of 1612?