Monument record SUT 004 - Group of round barrows, Sutton Hoo ; Sutton Mounts; Tumulus I; Mound 1

`Mound 1', excavated 1939 and contained the main ship burial, probably of royal status, and associated grave goods (S1).
The NW end of the barrow had been destroyed by ploughing pre 1881. The size before excavation has been estimated as 120 feet x 70 feet and 9 feet high (S2) or 100 feet (30m) diameter and 9 feet (2.75m) high (S1). Site re- excavated 1965-1970 (S1).
Mound reconstituted in the 1970s.
For prehistoric finds from under the mound see SUT 038.
Basil Brown recorded this as Tumulus I, having lettered rather than numbered the mounds. Great detail of his excavation contained in archive together with original letters to his wife, over 160 photographs and correspondence with him regarding the find extending to the 1970's (S4). Note reference to `2 coombes leading to the river' - see Neo.
N.B. See Arttype for full list of artefacts.
For a discussion of the significance of the objects found within the ship burial see S9
Scheduled Monument.

1995: Topographic survey produced a more detailed contour plan of the scheduled site and the surrounding area. Area 1 and 2 were intensively surveyed to record the recent changes in topography of the monument including the reconstruction of mound two, and to located features which have been erected on the site. The survey found strong evidence that both mounds 8 and 9 have been robbed. The survey demonstrated that the site overlooked the valley of the River Debden, it lies at the junction of two distinct topographic regions. To the east and south the site lies at the edge of a broad flat landscape, however to the west the shape of the land changes with the ground falling away steeply, down to the estuary of the Debden (S10).