Rendlesham Revealed: The Heart of a Kingdom AD 400-800 is a new exhibition at the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo, telling the story of an Anglo-Saxon royal settlement in Suffolk, the largest and wealthiest of its time known in England.
Taking visitors on a 400-year journey, the exhibition reveals how the settlement at Rendlesham developed, before moving on to celebrate contributions from today’s local community who uncovered the archaeological remains. This story is brought to life with over 150 archaeological finds from the settlement, ranging from food remains to gold jewellery, many of which have never been on public display before, on loan from Colchester and Ipswich Museums and Suffolk County Council's archaeological archives. Some of the objects on display include high status gold and silver dress accessories, sword fittings and horse harness fittings. As well as more everyday objects worn and used by the people who lived there, such as buckles and pottery.
Suffolk County Council’s Archaeological Service is curating the exhibition, to celebrate the Rendlesham Revealed community archaeology project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
When and Where?
23rd March - 29th October 2023 at National Trust Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3DJ
Entry to the temporary exhibition will be included in the normal admission charge to Sutton Hoo, which is free for National Trust members.
Visitor Info at nationaltrust.org.uk »
Ask the Curator: Blog Series
This new series “Ask the Curator” takes a deep dive into the research that has uncovered Anglo-Saxon Rendlesham, complementing the opening of the new Rendlesham Revealed exhibition at National Trust Sutton Hoo running until 29th October 2023. Keep an eye out for regular articles over the next six months, exploring facts about the archaeological site and featuring some star objects
How have archaeologists revealed Anglo-Saxon Rendlesham?
The first of this series starts at the beginning of the story, explaining the methods and techniques used over the last 15 years to uncover the remains of this incredible royal settlement (published 28/04/2023).
Read the first article on our blog »
This animated video for families and young people explains the archaeological techniques involved in discovering the incredible remains of this important Anglo-Saxon royal settlement at Rendlesham. What did this royal settlement look like and who were the people that once lived there?
Created March 2023 by Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service for the Rendlesham Revealed community project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Video and animation by Emma Youell. Music by Gemma Parker (@darkbardess). Illustration of the hall by Donna Wreathall.
Pyramid mounts at Rendlesham
The second article takes a closer look at the Pyramid Mounts, a type of sword fitting, that are on display in the new Rendlesham Revealed exhibition (published 12/05/2023).
Read the second article on our blog »
Who was living at Rendlesham?
Discover more about the development of the settlement, who was living at Rendlesham and aspects of their daily life such as what they may have eaten, based on the excavated archaeological remains many of which are on display in the new Rendlesham Revealed exhibition (published 26/05/2023).
Read the third article on our blog »
Coinage at Rendlesham
The fourth article takes a look at the coinage recovered during the excavations at Rendlesham, that are on display in the new Rendlesham Revealed exhibition (published 09/06/2023).
Read the fourth article on our blog »
Environment and the river at Rendlesham
What was the environment at Rendlesham like in the past? Was the River Deben navigable from the sea up to Rendlesham in the Anglo-Saxon period? In this next instalment of our “Ask the Curator” series, we share the results of our geoarchaeological investigations, which try to answer these questions.(published 23/06/2023).
Read the fifth article on our blog »
Rendlesham and Sutton Hoo
What is the relationship between the Anglo-Saxon royal settlement at Rendlesham and the princely burial grounds at Sutton Hoo? To answer this question as part of the “Ask the Curator” series is guest writer Professor Christopher Scull, the principle academic advisor to the Rendlesham Revealed project and Honorary Visiting Professor at University College London and Cardiff University.(published 14/07/2023).
Read the sixth article on our blog »
Harness Mount from Rendlesham
This article takes a closer look at the large, circular and elaborately decorated harness mount on display in the Rendlesham Revealed exhibition, which once formed part of a horse harness and dates to the 6th-7th centuries.(published 28/07/2023).
Read the seventh article on our blog »
Beads and Pendants from Rendlesham
Various items of jewellery have been found at the settlement at Rendlesham, dating to the 5th to 8th centuries. This article takes a closer look at the high-status gold pendants and beads made of gold and garnet, which are on display in the Rendlesham Revealed exhibition.(published 18/08/2023).
Read the eighth article on our blog »
The Great Hall at Rendlesham
This article explores the remains of the great hall uncovered in Summer 2022 as part of the Rendlesham Revealed community excavations. How big was the hall? How was it built? What would it have looked like?
Read the ninth article on our blog »
Thank you to the National Trust and Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, for supporting this exhibition, as well as the many partners, the local landowners and farmers who have allowed access to their land, and National Lottery players, without whom, funding for this project would not have been made possible.
