Mick Aston RIP

[The Egg Man]

Professor Mick Aston, a former resident academic on Channel 4's Time Team, has died at the age of 66.

He appeared on the show, which sees experts carry out archaeological digs, from its inception in 1994 until 2011.

The archaeologist also taught at a number of universities across the UK.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23041568

I'd like to think he was a fully paid up member of Hidden Oldbury (if there is such a thing).

[The Creeping Spleen]

Sad news. Time Team was a highlight of my Sunday evenings.

Tony Robinson (or rather Sir Tony as he is now) once referred to Mick as being "Time Team's own Professor Dumbledore".

[edward carolan]

The only good thing would be if that all the people who liked the programme, and did not also like the "dumbing down " of the show encourage C4 to fire the douche bag hired from the BBC that screwed up a format that even the American loved. She go get a job at ITV, oops they have started to see the light. RIP Mick

[Fireman]

Whilst we never missed the programme I really missed Mick and Phil's banter - they 'were' the show for me.

He's a sad loss not only to the millions of the viewers, but the academic profession itself.

[The Creeping Spleen]

Mick and Phil were one of the best comedy double acts on the TV.

[Vinegar Tom]

Ach. Not good. I am notoriously hard to get out of the house on Sundays at the start of the year (or I was until they cancelled TT)

[sandabound]

R.I.P Mick, as sad loss

[motman]

RIP Mick from me as well. I still record these Time Teams when they appear on More4. I'd like to see Channel 4 release DVD sets of old Time Teams - the only ones that are repeated these days are the last few ones. Great television, and it must have done wonders for those, like me, interested in archaeology, not to mention potential students.

[The Creeping Spleen]

I'm fairly sure there were a couple of "Best of..." compilation DVDs a few years ago.

But yeah, I'd love the complete series to come out as well.

[The Egg Man]

Mick Aston Night.

Time Team’s Mick Aston is to be remembered in an evening of special programming on More4.

Aston, who appeared on the popular archaeology show between 1994 and 2011, died recently.

The schedule will be given over to him on July 13, showing classic episodes of Time Time interspersed with former colleagues sharing their thoughts and memories.

Channel 4′s head of factual programming, Ralph Lee, said: ‘We have been terribly saddened by the death of Professor Mick Aston. We are broadcasting a tribute night, recognising his important contribution to Time Team over the years, and the key role he played in making archaeology so popular.’

[The Creeping Spleen]

Looking forward to that.

[The Egg Man]

Professor Mick Aston: Why I quit Time Team, and the danger of losing touch with our history

I’ve decided to quit Time Team because Channel 4 decided to alter the format. There is a lot less archaeological content and a lot more pratting about. I was the archaeological consultant but they decided to get rid of half the archaeological team, without consulting me.
I think it has dumbed down. Let me explain why that is bad for archaeology in general.


http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Profess ... z2aRPhpmKN