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Archaeological Archives service

Suffolk County Council Archaeological Archive is the main repository for material found as part of archaeological fieldwork in the county.

Suffolk County Council has upheld the responsibility of collecting the county’s archaeological archives since 1974. We currently collect and curate archaeological material from all commercial and community excavations across Suffolk.

Suffolk County Council Archaeological Archive provides:

  • archives deposition service for commercial units and local heritage groups
  • material to museums for temporary exhibitions
  • material for finds handling workshops
  • access for research visit the Suffolk Heritage Explorer for details

Archaeological depositions

We are currently the archive repository for all commercial and community lead excavations in Suffolk. We collect all components of the archive, including:

  • Written, drawn and photographic documentation
  • Bulk finds
  • Small finds

We will only accept archives which are packed in accordance to our deposition guidelines.

If you are undertaking a community project that will need archiving, please get in touch using the contact details below.

Deposition

From 1 April 2022, Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service is implementing a new charging process and box charging schedule.

Our box charges, a one-off charge to cover administration fees and contribute to the ongoing curation and conservation costs of the archives, will now be charged at the Post Excavation Assessment (PXA) stage of work, or final report stage when PXA is not required, prior to the planning conditions for the site being signed off.

Any projects that have passed the PXA stage before 1 April 2022 will be charged once the final archive report is received or if this has already been submitted at the point of deposition.

Depositing organisations will need to request an invoice for deposition charges at PXA stage by completing an Archive Deposition Invoice request form.

More details about the charges and the new process can be read on our archaeology charging schedule.

Quotes and tailored deposition timetables (for backlogs and infrastructure projects) can be issued as required to depositing units and last one year from the date of issue. After this time the quote becomes invalid and the box fee will default to the fee advertised at time of deposition.

Any additional work needed to be carried out by SCCAS staff to ensure the archive meets depositional and conservation standards will be charged, after discussion, to the depositing organisation.

Transfer of Ownership

A completed transfer of ownership form (PDF) is now required to be uploaded on the invoice request form, this is to ensure that permission has been granted to deposit the finds with Suffolk County Council before the archive deposition is charged for and the planning conditions are discharged. We will accept forms signed via due diligence, please include proof of attempts with the completed transfer of ownership form.

Please deposit the paper copies of the transfer of ownership forms alongside the paper archive as normal.

A blank copy of our forms can be downloaded below.

Request Archive Deposition

To book your deposition slot (after completing the invoice request) please email archaeology.archives@suffolk.gov.uk

Complete an online form to request an archive deposition invoice.

Museum loans

As an archaeological store we do not have an exhibition space open for public viewing, therefore we loan material to museums for temporary changing exhibitions. Local museums currently displaying our material include:

Further information

Find out more about collections by visiting our Heritage Explorer website.

For enquiries and appointments email archaeology.archives@suffolk.gov.uk or call 01284 741230.