Last weekend was a busy one for Wessex Archaeology’s Community & Education Officer, Laura Joyner, who took part in two local Festival of Archaeology events. 
 
On Saturday 27th July 2013 Laura took artefacts and activities to Salisbury & South Wilts Museum as part of their Family Archaeology Day. Children had a go at sandpit digs and pottery jigsaws whilst adults tried to match up artefact trays with historical periods. Some of our interesting marine artefacts were also on display, including a cannonball, a Palaeolithic axe head and a mammoth tooth. 
 
Sunday 28th 2013 saw Laura at the Rockbourne Archaeology Festival at Rockbourne Roman Villa. The sandpit digs weren’t needed here as the Rockbourne staff and volunteers had constructed a large pretend trench, jam-packed with artefacts for children to excavate! Laura demonstrated excavation techniques to the excited young people, before showing them how to wash and sort their finds. 
 
The Festival of Archaeology 2013 has been a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation of archaeologists. We’re looking forward to next year's already!