Episode Overview
Time Team embarks on a mission to uncover what is thought to be the earliest railway viaduct, constructed in 1790 for transporting coal from a nearby mine to the Blaenavon Ironworks. For just a decade, horses pulled wagons along its tracks. However, debris from local mining operations has buried the viaduct and filled the surrounding valleys, making it hard to pinpoint where to excavate. After removing thousands of tons of earth, they discover the top of the viaduct, located 12 meters beneath the current ground level. While entering is too hazardous, they use a camera to explore inside. Meanwhile, they uncover the remnants of a manager's residence and workers' cottages. To experiment with archaeology, a small blast furnace is constructed in the old ironworks, casting a Time Team logo designed by Victor Ambrus and cart wheels.