Synopsis
Looking at the skeletons from 2023's Leicester Cathedral excavation, the burials become source material for a groundbreaking scientific study that brings scientists, archaeologists and historians together to investigate how the arrival of a new product, tobacco, changed the health of the nation for the worse.
- Programme: Digging for Britain
- Series: 12
- Episode: 2: Dinosaur Highway and Roman Sauna
- Channel: BBC Two
- Broadcast year: 2025
- History
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
Add Notes
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