Hi °C | Lo °C TV star Tony Robinson is hoping to unearth a few fascinating discoveries in Dungannon this week as his Time Team embarks on a major archaeological dig at the former seat of the O'Neills.
The TV crew were spending three days this week probing the remains of Castle Hill, the principal residence of the O'Neills of Tyrone in the 14th century, as well as a nearby cottage that was abandoned in 1856.
It's thought that the castle played a key role in the war between the Gaelic lords of Ulster and the Tudor Government during the 1590s.
And in 1602, as the English army advanced into Ulster, O'Neill set fire to his castle so his enemies couldn't have use of it.
The Time Team crew is aided by a pictorial map of the castle, drawn by the cartographer Richard Bartlett, who came with the English army. This provides vital clues about the complex.
The crew also took time out yesterday to launch the Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum, a cross-sectoral group that aims to raise awareness of our archaeological heritage.
Tony Robinson said: "There is now a real desire among the people of Northern Ireland to engage with their past in a positive way.
"The site we are digging is just one example of the rich archaeological heritage of the country, which can now be explored in a spirit of openness.
"Hopefully the work that Time Team, the Environment and Heritage Service and Queen's University are doing here will help show just how important and exciting this journey can be."
