VISITORS to Wanstead Park will be able to see archaeology come to life this weekend as part of the 2009 Festival of British Archaeology.

The Wanstead Parklands Community Project will be presenting a programme activities in the park on July 25 and 26, in collaboration with the West Essex Archaeology Group and the City of London Corporation.

Activities on show will include digging and finds processing, geophysical testing, and a literature stall.

The park consists of a multi-period landscape, the most visible remains of which can be dated to the 18th century.

Beneath this hand-sculpted landscape, however, there exists evidence for earlier occupation going back beyond the Roman period.

The dig starts on Saturday, just north of the Perch Pond by the Temple and will be led by John Shepherd who has appeared on the popular “Time Team” programme.

Coordinating the activities in the Park as a whole will be the Wanstead Parklands Community Project’s Tricia Moxey and Ralph Potter.

• For information on this and other Festival events go to archaeologyfestival.org.uk