Significant Suffolk Anglo-Saxon archaeology to be celebrated at event

The event is open to the public from 11am to 3pm, where excavated Anglo-Saxon objects and information about the newly-discovered archaeology will be on display, along with pottery demonstrations, stalls from local history groups and talks from experts who oversaw the excavations.

Rendlesham Revealed is run by Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players, who awarded a grant of £517,300 for the four-year project.

Three years of excavations, not far from Sutton Hoo, were completed in the summer of 2023 but work continues to analyse the findings.

Faye Minter, Suffolk County Council’s Archaeology Archives and Projects Manager, said:

“South-east Suffolk was the power centre of the early East Anglian kingdom, and Rendlesham was the place from which it was ruled. Rendlesham’s archaeology gives a unique insight into what a royal centre of international importance was like at that time.

“What has been excavated during this project shows how wealthy and powerful the East Anglian kings were in Suffolk – from the discovery of a timber hall and possible temple, to the evidence of feasting that took place.”

Councillor Melanie Vigo di Gallidoro, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Protected Landscapes and Archaeology, said:

“Rendlesham Revealed has been an incredible success and has added such a wealth of new understanding to Anglo-Saxon life in East Anglia.

“But none of this would have been possible without the many volunteers from the local community who have spent hundreds of hours field-walking, excavating and cleaning finds. This celebration event is just as much about recognising them and their incredible achievements.

“This fantastic project led by the council’s archaeological team means Suffolk’s history and this new knowledge is available for generations to come.”

At the event on 16 May, some of the organisations attending with displays include: Cotswold Archaeology, Ipswich Museum, Sutton Hoo National Trust textile interpretation group, Sutton Hoo Society, Suffolk Archaeological Field Group, Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, and Suffolk Mind.

Talks will be at:

11:30am & 1:30pm - "Discovering Rendlesham and Community Fieldwork" by Faye Minter, Archaeology Archives and Projects Manager at Suffolk County Council.

11:45am & 1:45pm - "Rendlesham Excavations: Summary of Results 2021 – 2023" by Professor Christopher Scull, Principal Academic Advisor for Rendlesham Revealed.

Further items from Rendlesham Revealed can be seen in a temporary display at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Museum until 23 July 2024, and a virtual interactive tour of the original exhibition at Sutton Hoo is available online at heritage.suffolk.gov.uk/rendlesham