The Buried Village Of The Victorian Railway Builders | Time Team | Absolute History

Through archaeological excavations, historical records, and cutting-edge technology, Tony Robinson and his team reveal the daily lives, struggles, and triumphs of the Victorian Railway Builders, known as Navvies. From makeshift homes nestled along the tracks to communal living and industrial activity, each discovery paints a vivid picture of resilience and determination. Explore the untold stories of the railway builders and their enduring legacy in shaping the world's transportation networks.

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[carolefreeman]

My great, great grandfather, was one of the Irish Navvies, who moved from Ireland in 1834 to work on the railroad from Liverpool to Preston to Garstang in Lancashire, England on to Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He and his wife had 4 children born in Lancashire, England and the final two children born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. He continued to work for the railway until he had a fatal accident in Glasgow at the age of 69.

[flamingpieherman]

I think we should suffice it to say those people were very smart!
Sometimes we want to think we're the smartest generation but when you look back at all the work that they did without the innovations we have today. It was amazing work... And good quality too

[timtaylor]

Really one of the most interesting Time Team excavations - Victorian navvy life, well documented but brought to life . Excellent

[jimplummer]

It has given me some ideas for researching the railroad industry where I live.

[jfebacher]

The American version of the contractors for food and supplies was "The Company Store". There was an extremely famous song called 16 Tons, released in the late 1950's early 1960s. It spoke on this and other similar things. Google it if interested. One of the lines went, "I owe my soul to the company store".

[eliotreader]

very interesting documentary i probably moved four tons of soil a few years ago

[rondjerijder]

Admirable what this team can find, at one point I even thought they would find a Victorian navvie temple.

[elizabetha]

I’m studying history. Some books and all are boring. I really enjoy his stuff

[vettekid]

Back when I was a kid in the US Illinois had a lot of old deep shaft coal mines with the slag heaps, some several hundred feet high. Most of the communities built around the mines actually took pride in them but in the 1980's the EPA mandated they all be removed and much of the community's history erased as well.

[StanSwan]

So cool. I am an American so only discovered the show during the pandemic. First time seeing this one. Faye and all the ladies are so amazing. What a great show.

[deadpetal.designs]

What is "eligeric"? Joking around, just returning the favor. Gotta get that interaction for the algorithm!😊 Your hair is beautiful, any hair style, curls or anything else would be gorgous! Have a great time!🎉

[peternelson]

I would do that eating habit if I was working like that man in that time scents the calorie intake was more because you burned more on a daily basis unlike today. and beer was because clean water still wasn't as easy as it is today, so it was a very week beer but still beer, sadly you can't get away with that today in most jobs but back then it was needed. I truly love how they are trying to bring back the history and make sure they fined what's left of it. to bad I could be eating that and doing all that work in the name of history.

[jaimistefani]

First!! Love me some Tony Time Team. 🥰

[philipmcdonagh]

Add up the amount of beer everyone drank they would have to have brewed it on site. The water out of stream-springs up there would have been safe enough to drink, I've done it and I'm still here, so why all the beer. Must have been to keep them happy.

[sno]

Steak and potatoes is a very healthy meal for a working man

[nataliepanico]

Sounds unlikely that each man ate 4 steaks a day with 4 beers while working

[mueezadam]

The embarrassing ineptitude of imperialism on full display. Trillions of pounds in revenue, and yet much of the mainland was neglected modern infrastructure.