Monument record BML 018 - Sutton Hoo Visitor Centre (Preh)

1997: Geophysical survey showed a clear concentration of linear anomalies in the northernmost area. Subsequent Evaluation recorded a high concentration of archaeological features were recorded in the northern end revealing evidence of an Iron Age field system, which may have partially continued in use into the Roman period, plus a scatter of other pit and post hole features were revealed. Evidence of a possible Iron Age round house. Finds include, burnt flint, a large saddle quern, Neolithic/Early Bronze age arrowhead and scrapers and Bronze Age/Iron Age pottery (S1)(S2).

2000: Full excavation of extended area located BA(?) ring ditch with cremation and ESax cemetery (S4). For list of finds see (S3). Detail and report to follow. Also see Sax.

2007 Assessment and project design: The main excavation at the site revealed evidence of four periods of activity. An early Bronze Age barrow burial is indicated by Cremation 0905 radio carbon dated to BC 1427-1315 and its associated ring ditch. A late Neolithic pottery sherd was also recovered with the cremated bone. A number of pits are also dated to this phase based on the pottery. The ditch system identified across the 1997 and 2000 excavation areas produces abraded pottery sherds of late Bronze Age and Iron Age date. A number of pits are also dated to this phase by the pottery. Also a curvilinear feature identified in the nothern section of the 1997 evaluations may be a roundhouse or livestock enclosure of this period, a saddle quern having been found in the overlying topsoil. Post-medieval activity was represented by 17/18th century ditch and 19th century pits with sheep burials and garden activity. All of the databale tree-bowl pits excavated also below to this period and may represent the clearence of the land. The 1997 evaluation and research also identified a 19th century sheepfold. See Also BML 018 SAX for details on Anglo-Saxon Cemetery (S5)

1999:Geophysical survey comprising magnetometer and soil resistance survey. The Magnetometer survey identified a number of ferrous disturbances associated with electricity or water pipes and possibly associated with the redevelopment at Sutton Hoo House. A number of positive anomalies were detected which could be archaeological features comprising one 2-3m in diameter, a row of circular anomalies and a linear anomaly. A further semi-circular anomaly was detected which may continue outside the survey area. The soil resistance survey returned similar results of the magnetometer survey with a number of low and high resistance anomalies detected. A number of these were associated with probable garden activity or modern services. Rubbles spreads were also identified, associated with the building and re-development of the main house. Possible archaeological features consisted of two low resistance linear feature, a low resistance curvilinear features (S7).