I've watched NOVA for decades. Here's the typical rundown:
1) Archaeologist professor has a theory.
2) He and a team of grad students need to dig something up (or re-create a structure) in another country.
3) Local officials place restrictions on what they can do.
4) Summer or winter is approaching, will they make it in time?
5) Hire locals to do the hard work.
6) Theory is not disproved = success!