THE Festival of Archaeology is coming to Salisbury Museum this weekend.

Highlights this year include Helen Wass, head of heritage on the HS2 rail project, bringing news from the country’s biggest ever archaeology project, Christie Willis investigating Stonehenge’s numerous Neolithic cremation burials, and Wessex Archaeology’s Simon Cleggett detailing their vast project which has revealed a timeline of archaeology while working for the military in preparation for the new army basing on the edge of Salisbury Plain.

Dr Alex Langlands who, as well as creating a “dig HQ” in the museum to display the findings of his 2019 Old Sarum Environs project, will be giving an exclusive talk on the finds just a day after the dig is completed.

Adding a new twist to the event is stand-up comic Ella Al-Shamahi who will be coming along to share her PhD research into Neanderthals and their DNA.

Wrapping up the festival weekend, there will be a talk by museum director, Adrian Green and finds specialist Lorraine Mepham, reporting on the findings from Dr Phil Harding’s dig at the museum back in May.

The festival is open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Entry is £2 donation and tickets for talks £8, will be available online at salisburymuseum.org.uk