Wessex Archaeology facts for kids

Wessex Archaeology is a British group that works in archaeology. They help protect old places and teach people about history. They also dig up ancient sites and share what they find. You might know them from the TV show Time Team.

Wessex Archaeology is officially recognized by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. This means they follow high standards in their work. They are also a charity, which means they work to help others.

Digging Up the Past: Wessex Archaeology's Story

Wessex Archaeology started a long time ago in 1979. It was first called the Wessex Archaeological Committee. In 1983, its name changed to the Trust for Wessex Archaeology.

They were one of the first groups to do "rescue archaeology". This means they save important historical sites before they are damaged. They focused on many sites around Salisbury Plain. In 2005, the group became Wessex Archaeology Limited.

Growing Across the UK

Over the years, Wessex Archaeology has grown a lot. They opened offices in different parts of the UK. These include places like Gravesend and Sheffield.

In 2010, they opened a Scottish office in Edinburgh. This office has a big team that specializes in marine archaeology. This is the study of underwater historical sites. Later, in 2014, they opened more offices in Welshpool and Bristol.

Helping People Learn About History

Wessex Archaeology is a registered charity. Their main goal is to teach the public about culture, arts, heritage, and science. They do this through their archaeology work.

They share all the information from their digs with local authorities. This information is stored online through the Archaeology Data Service. You can find their reports and discoveries in their online library. This helps everyone learn about the past.

Famous Archaeologists

Phil Harding is a well-known archaeologist. He worked on the popular TV show Time Team. Phil Harding is part of the team at Wessex Archaeology.