Archaeologists from the National Trust are embarking on the first excavation at Sutton Hoo in over two decades, focusing on an area near the visitor center. The dig aims to uncover more about the history leading up to the famed Anglo-Saxon ship burial discovered in 1939, which is believed to be the resting place of King Raedwald of East Anglia.
Angus Wainwright, a regional archaeologist for the National Trust, announced that a 25-meter-long trench will be excavated based on ground-penetrating radar results that identified anomalies needing further investigation. The trench, which will be up to 70cm deep, might reveal Anglo-Saxon graves as it is located on the edge of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery distinct from the famous mounds.
This new four-week excavation, conducted in collaboration with Time Team, may uncover remains from the prehistoric and Roman periods of the site, adding context to the landscape before and after the seventh century burials. Wainwright highlighted the potential for discovering "everyday" artifacts such as bead necklaces, bronze brooches, shields, and spears, shedding light on the lives of Sutton Hoo's ordinary inhabitants.