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Wessex Archaeology

Name: Wessex Archaeology
Address: Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, SP46EB, GB
Telephone: +44 (0)1722 326 867
Price range: Not Applicable

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Wessex Archaeology

Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity.

27/08/2026

📢 The Prehistoric Society publishes interim article by Phil Harding and team on discovery of 5,000-year-old ‘prototype’ for Stonehenge solar alignment

This newly published article provides a greater insight into the research behind the recently announced discovery at Bulford in Wiltshire, where excavations and analysis have uncovered evidence for the earliest known alignment with the solstice in the Stonehenge landscape.

Radiocarbon dated to around 5,000 years ago, the discovery shows how ancient people were using this remarkable site to celebrate the solstice at least 500 years before the alignment of the stones at .

Read here: https://ow.ly/Tia750ZFJJV

English Heritage | Ministry of Defence | Defence Infrastructure Organisation | Tetra Tech Europe | The Skyscape Academy

21/08/2026

📢 Archaeologists join military veterans and personnel to uncover WW1 history

Over two very warm weeks in July, our team joined the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on Plain for another Operation Nightingale dig!

Archaeologists worked alongside veterans and participants from the Army Recovery Centre at Tedworth House to investigate Perham Down’s WW1 training trenches where recruits prepared for service on the Western Front. 🪖

They uncovered an observation post, a shelter, a latrine and a kitchen with the cooking range and coal fuel still in place, along with sardine and evaporated milk tins, some of which had been pierced by bayonets.

19/08/2026

What’s it like to be a photographer working in archaeology? 📸

This , spend a day with Doug, one of our in-house photographers, as he records some incredible archaeology and the people working behind the scenes.

🎥 Video description: Doug can be seen retrieving his photography equipment from a locker. He is then shown at his desk with a cafetiere. He opens a booklet which shows his To Do list which reads: Finds photography, editing, training. He takes photographs of a piece of worked prehistoric flint on a black background. He is shown at the computer editing photographs on of archaeologists digging on site. He then delivers training to a room of field staff. The video ends with Doug returning his camera to the equipment locker.

13/08/2026

Explore an Anglo-Saxon cemetery on our Open Library…

Between 1998 and 2000, we uncovered an exceptionally rich and important mixed rite Anglo-Saxon cemetery beneath a football stadium in . Besides personal items, coins and fine jewellery, an unusually high number of burials were furnished with weapons.

This discovery proved that the Anglo-Saxon port of Hamwic was founded much earlier than previously thought, with subsequent research suggesting a date nearer 600 than 700 AD.

Amongst the artefacts was a gold pendant with garnets and an intriguing snake decoration, as well as a rare crescent-shaped pendant. A bobbin of gold thread found nearby was probably intended for the ladies of the royal court, or a female religious house.

Read the full publication here: https://ow.ly/IhQt50ZyPS0

08/08/2026

Behold, a chaos-mongering cat circa 120 AD. 😻

For , we caught up with our zooarchaeologist Lorrain about a Roman roof tile our team found in .

In the past, bricks and tiles were dried in the sun before firing, giving this cat (oblivious to the very serious work of the humans!) an opportunity to make their mark.

Lorrain pointed out the broad spreading pads which helped confirm our culprit was feline. It isn't until the Romans arrive in Britain that we start to find more evidence that cats graduated from pest controller to beloved domestic pet.

07/08/2026

Back in 2024, our team uncovered a Bronze Age spade... 🪏

This find would turn out to be one of the oldest and most complete wooden tools ever found in Britain.

The spade was uncovered in Poole, , during ongoing work with Kier Group PLC, Environment Agency - South and South West, RSPB and Natural England to adapt over 150 hectares of land into a diverse wetlands habitat as part of the Moors at Arne project.

Watch the full story: https://ow.ly/ZxLo50ZwZWy

RSPB Arne and Weymouth Wetlands

🎥 Video description: Our Finds Processing Supervisor Amy removes the spade from storage and carefully unwraps it. We are shown flashbacks to the excavation and hear the voices of field archaeologists and conservators who worked on this incredible find.

02/08/2026

Phew! Another wonderful draws to a close. 😮‍💨

From investigating the hidden heritage of a forest to showcasing some fabulous environmental archaeology, our team fully embraced this year's nature theme. 🌿

Thanks to everyone who joined us on our excursions, enthused about fossilised p**p or just stopped by for a natter. 🫶

Until next year! 🫡

ArchaeologyUK | Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England | Forestry England | Forestry England Guisborough | Sheffield Museums | Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

31/07/2026

What a festival it's been so far! 🎊

Our team have loved getting out and about for the , meeting some wonderful people and, best of all, talking all things archaeology. 🪏

There's still 3 days left to search for events near you on the ArchaeologyUK website: https://ow.ly/ERVg50ZuOmT

🎥 Video description: Arran walks through Guisborough forest where our team took part in a 3-day event. This is followed by footage of our archaeologists speaking to the public and displaying artefacts for them to handle. The video ends with a shot of children’s drawings from a family activity day.

ArchaeologyUK | Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England| Forestry England | Forestry England Guisborough | Sheffield Museums

23/07/2026

📢 Archaeologists uncover Georgian artefacts beneath one of Austen’s favourite ballrooms

During restoration work at the Bath Assembly Rooms - National Trust, our team unearthed some reminders of the fashions and fads of the 18th century.

Archaeologists uncovered a Georgian beauty pot, an initialled wig curler, and animal bones from extravagant meals of goose, turkey, and cod, offering a glimpse into the lives of Bath's fashionable visitors.

These discoveries were made as part of the National Trust's ongoing work to transform the Assembly Rooms and create a new immersive Georgian ball experience.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/ztpu50ZrZCm

📸 National Trust Archaeology | Wessex Archaeology

22/07/2026

🌿 Just 2 more sleeps to go until Guisborough Forest's Festival of Archaeology! 🌿

This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, join us for three days of FREE activities, discoveries and hands-on heritage experiences for all the family.

🏺 Archaeology talks
🚶 Guided walks
⛏️ Hands-on fieldwork
🎨 Family-friendly activities
🔍 Heritage displays and artefacts

📅 23–25 July
📍 Guisborough Forest & Walkway
💚 All activities are FREE
🌳 Find out more and view the full timetable here: https://www.forestryengland.uk/guisborough-forest/feel-good-timetable

Address

Portway House, Old Sarum Park
Salisbury
SP46EB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+44 (0)1722 326 867

Website

http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/

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