An archaeology group has been launched in Hampshire the Ministry of Defence as a form of therapy for wounded service personnel and to help them develop new skills.
The initiative was launched on board the historic warship HMS Victory at Portsmouth Naval Base, by the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir Charles Montgomery, and Channel 4's Time Team presenters Phil Harding and Helen Geake.
The Defence Archaeology Group is an extension of Operation Nightingale which was initially run for army soldiers recovering from wounds suffered in Afghanistan and which will now incorporate personnel from all three services.
Surgeon Commodore Peter Buxton, the Defence Archaeology Group's senior officer and an archaeology academic, said: ''Archaeology provides an outstanding training and educational opportunity.
''The Defence Archaeology Group will provide a focus and support for service personnel, particularly those who have been wounded, who are interested in archaeology.
''The practical and academic skills they learn, whatever they choose to do in the future this will stand them in good stead.''
Excavations already carried out on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, as part of Operation Nightingale previously led to the discovery of the remains of Anglo-Saxon warriors who died more than 1,400 years ago.
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