Episode 2
Neil Oliver uncovers Britain's ancient landscape of belief and ritual, searching for Bronze and Iron Age sites that were sacred to ancient Britons.
Neil is in search of Bronze and Iron Age sites that were sacred to ancient Britons, with water seen not just as a source of life, but also of reverence.
At Flag Fen near Peterborough he discovers a vast ancient causeway built across the fens, with sacred objects placed among its timbers. At Maiden Castle's hill fort in Dorset he unearths evidence of macabre human sacrifices to ward off evil spirits.
Neil travels to Anglesey, where swords, precious artefacts and even a slave chain were ritually deposited. It was home of the druids. Neil learns about their bizarre rituals and dark reputation and how the Romans viewed them as dangerous religious extremists.
Moving on to Bath and its sacred spring, Neil discovers an early version of the habit of throwing coins into water. Once here the Romans recognised the old gods but also brought their own too, making Bath one of the most sacred sites in Roman Britain.
Finally Neil goes to Lullingstone's Roman villa in Kent. Deep in the cellar he finds wall paintings of pagan water deities, while upstairs there are covert messages hidden in the mosaic floor, finally leading to the arrival of Christianity that swept away the old religions, changing Britain forever.
Last on
Clip
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Sacred Wonders of Britain, Episode 2
Duration: 01:17
Music Played
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Jon Hawk
Damage Control
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Neil Oliver |
| Director | Jonathan Barker |
| Producer | Jonathan Barker |
| Executive Producer | Mike Smith |
Broadcasts
- Mon 6 Jan 201420:30
- Fri 17 Jan 201409:00
- Sat 3 Jan 201518:30BBC Two except Northern Ireland & Wales
- Sat 10 Jan 201518:30BBC Two Northern Ireland
- Tue 26 Jul 201620:00
- Wed 27 Jul 201600:00
- Wed 22 Aug 201820:00
- Thu 23 Aug 201802:00
- Tue 12 Mar 201913:45
- Tue 12 Mar 201914:35BBC Two Wales & Wales HD only
- Wed 27 Nov 201920:00
- Fri 5 Jun 202009:00BBC Two except Scotland
- Tue 8 Mar 202216:15BBC Two except Scotland & Wales
- Tue 8 Mar 202216:25BBC Two Wales & Wales HD only



