The Great British Dig: History in Your Back Garden

In the North Yorkshire market town of Masham, Hugh Dennis joins a group of specialist archaeologists as they search for a concealed Viking burial site beneath the town and its surrounding area. Their investigation aims to uncover evidence of the hidden burial ground.

The broadcast is an episode‑style programme titled ‘Masham, North Yorkshire’. It’s set in the market town of Masham, nestled in the English county of North Yorkshire, and follows a specific investigative venture. The format focuses on a single storyline rather than a series arc, giving viewers a concise look at the subject. At the heart of the episode, comedian Hugh Dennis joins a group of specialist archaeologists. Together they walk the streets of Masham, driven by the hope of uncovering a Viking burial ground that may lie beneath the town. Their mission centres on locating this hidden site, which they believe is concealed under the present‑day landscape. The team’s expertise lies in interpreting subtle clues left in the ground, and they’re applying those skills right here in Masham. By combing through the town’s surface, they hope to detect any signs that point to a buried Norse cemetery. Their approach blends scientific method with a touch of local curiosity. Throughout the investigation, Hugh Dennis acts as both participant and guide, asking the archaeologists to explain their techniques and theories. The episode follows their progress as they search for the elusive Viking site, offering viewers a glimpse into how modern archaeology tackles mysteries that have been hidden for centuries beneath everyday streets.