The Sutton Hoo Research Project 1983-2001
Martin Carver, 2004. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000266. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Prof Martin Carver unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Prof
Martin
Carver
Department of Archaeology
University of York
King's Manor
Exhibition Square
York
YO1 7EP
England
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 404
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000266
- How to cite using this DOI
Overview
Campaigns of Research at Sutton Hoo
Research has been carried out on the site since 1938 in three major campaigns:
- 1938-1939 Mounds1-4 excavated by Basil Brown and Charles Phillips for Mrs Pretty
- 1965-71 Mound 1 and 5 excavated by Rupert Bruce-Mitford, Paul Ashbee, Ian Longworth and Ian Kinnes for the British Museum
- 1983 -2001 Excavation and Survey of the site and its region by Martin Carver for Sutton Hoo Research Trust.
How the results can be accessed
The results of the latest research are available at three levels as follows:
Research Reports
The RESEARCH REPORTS are published accounts of the results of the research to date. The principle publications are:
Carver, Martin Sutton Hoo Burial Ground of Kings? (BMP 1998, 2000)
Carver, Martin Sutton Hoo. A Seventh Century Princely Burial Ground and its Context (BMP, 2005)
The Research Reports make reference to the Field Reports.
Field Reports
The FIELD REPORTS are reports written by researchers on investigations in the field at Sutton Hoo since 1983. They are available online here. The Field Reports make reference to the Field Records.
Field Records
The FIELD RECORDS are the records that were made in the field. They exist in hard copy only and are in the care of the British Museum to whom your inquiries should be directed. Field Records are filed by Interventions.
Here is an example of how the Research Report, the Field Reports and the Field Records are related:
In the discussion of horse harness from Mound 17 in Chapter 5 of the Research Report reference is made to FR 6/7.1926. This will be found in the Field Report, Vol 6, section 7, para 1926, which gives a fuller account of the finding, referring to records made on site - the Field Records:
7.1926 The location of a Harness at the west end was inferred beneath the stain of tub F353 (1582) after the recovery of a small silvered axe-shaped pendant 8069 by routine sieving of backfill context 1572 on 16 October during preparations for Stage 6 (AR diary, 6/3.921). Subsequent glimpses of metal and dark strips of soil in the same area showed that there had been a concentration of small objects there, perhaps connected by leather straps. The area was defined as context 1589 although this was scarcely distinguishable from the surrounding backfill [see N 680/11], and planned (D509) at Stage 10 as F358 before lifting as a block.
In the Field records are the Context cards, Feature cards, Drawings and Photographs relating to F358. Items underlined refer to records as follows:
8069 = Find number - see finds index [Numbered 1-9999]
1589 = Context number - see context records. [Numbered 1000-9999]. A definition applied to all tangible strata.
F358 = Feature number - see Feature records. [Numbered 1-999]. A definition applied interpreted sets of contexts
N 680/11 = Photograph number - see photographic index and then enprints held by BM
D509 = Drawing number - see drawing index and then drawings held by BM
A "Stage" refers to a recorded stage in the process of excavation
Field records are filed by Intervention, a term used at Sutton Hoo to mean a separate operation with its own objective. Each intervention has its dedicated numbering system in which finds and feature numbers start at 1 and context numbers start at 1000.
The Artefacts
The Artefacts and samples excavated at Sutton Hoo are the property of the British Museum, where they are to be accessed (unless on loan). Contact: Department of European Antiquities, British Museum, London.
The Site and Excavation
The site of Sutton Hoo is located near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England and is the property of the National Trust for England and Wales. The Visitor Centre displays the story the discoveries and exhibits objects on loan from the British Museum and other lenders.
The Sutton Hoo Society exists to promote interest in Sutton Hoo and to enhance the visitor experience. Contact them at www.suttonhoo.org
For Research into the discoveries made or methods used please contact Prof Martin Carver.
Researchers are advised to consult the Research Report in the first instance and then the Field Reports using this website. To consult the Field records or to view artefacts please contact the Department of European Archaeology at the British Museum.
The Photographs
To obtain a photograph outside of this archive
Please contact the Department of European Antiquities at the British Museum.
Structure of the Field Records
A complete index and structure of the physical site archive can be downloaded below:
Structure of the Field Records (41kb, PDF) Download
Property Rights
Cultural property relating to this project is apportioned as follows:
Research Reports: copyright Martin Carver and the British Museum Press (British Museum Press, 38 Russell Square, London WC1B 3QQ. Email:info@britishmuseum.co.uk).
Field Reports: copyright Martin Carver and the University of York.
Field Records: copyright British Museum.
