Welcome To
The Sutton Hoo Society

Sutton Hoo is a group of Anglo-Saxon burial mounds overlooking the River Deben in south-east Suffolk, England.

The society was founded in 1984 to provide practical support to the Sutton Hoo Research Project, directed by Professor Martin Carver. Following the completion of the excavations in 1991, the society acted as guardians of the site and continued to give guided tours and funded ongoing research.

Over the years we have attracted a world-wide membership, from members of the public who are fascinated by the story of Sutton Hoo, to experts in the field of Anglo-Saxon history and archaeology.

The National Trust took over the site in 2002, and we actively support them in their aim to promote, protect and preserve this unique place. We continue to give guided tours of the burial site, and run a comprehensive training programme for volunteers who wish to become guides and give exhibition talks. We organize conferences, lectures and field trips, and produce a twice-yearly magazine for our members. Our funding policy enables us to commission or offer financial support to a broad mix of academic research and archaeological projects and publications.

Latest News

• 07 August 2010

  BBC digging for stories

  BBC2 programme Digging For Britain is looking for stories and discoveries from current excavations.
  read more...

• 30 May 2010

  Sutton Hoo Society publications

  Last few Society publications available at discounted rate
  read more...

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There have been 4 archaeological campaigns at Sutton Hoo:

1938-39

Commissioned by Mrs Pretty, (owner of the Sutton Hoo Estate) Basil Brown began excavations which were to become famous throughout the world.

1965-1971

Led by Dr Rupert Bruce-Mitford from the British Museum, Mound 1 was re-excavated, revealing further evidence about the overall archaeology of the site

1983-1992

The Sutton Hoo Research Project directed by Professor Martin Carver excavated a further seven mounds and other graves. Mapping and evaluation of the site was also completed. See BBC 'Chronicle' TV programme from 1989.

2000

As part of the preparation for the construction of the National Trust visitor centre, Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service excavated another Anglo-Saxon cemetery, thought to be earlier in date than the "royal" burial site.