Highlights from the County Archive
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Remains of medieval bridge, Eye Castle
Rare remains of 800-year-old bridge found near Eye Castle in Suffolk. The remains of a previously unknown medieval wooden bridge have been discovered at Eye, in the north of Suffolk. Experts believe the oak remains were part of the defences of Eye Castle, dating back as far as 1200 AD. The wood was in suchContinue reading “Remains of medieval bridge, Eye Castle”
Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – “The Brown School of Archaeology”
In this fourth and final article in a series by guest writer, Sarah Doig, we learn about Basil’s passion for enthusing others, especially the younger generation, who wanted to help with the excavations and learn about archaeology. In each blog, Sarah draws on Basil Brown’s notebooks and other papers, the majority of which are heldContinue reading “Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – “The Brown School of Archaeology””
Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – Local History on his Doorstep
In this third article in a series of four by guest writer, Sarah Doig, she investigates Basil Brown’s passion for local history, as well as taking a closer look at some of Basil’s digs on his doorstep. In each blog, Sarah draws on Basil Brown’s notebooks and other papers, the majority of which are heldContinue reading “Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – Local History on his Doorstep”
Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – A Wartime Role
In this second article in a series of four by guest writer, Sarah Doig, we look at what Basil Brown did on the eve of the Second World War, immediately after the discovery of the Sutton Hoo treasure. In each blog, Sarah draws on Basil Brown’s notebooks and other papers, the majority of which areContinue reading “Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – A Wartime Role”
Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – An Archaeologist Emerges
In this first article in a series of four by guest writer, Sarah Doig, we learn about Basil Brown’s early life, his interests and motivations. We also look at Basil’s first major archaeological dig, in Calke Wood. In each blog, Sarah draws on Basil Brown’s notebooks and other papers, the majority of which are heldContinue reading “Basil Brown: Beyond Sutton Hoo – An Archaeologist Emerges”
Romans Found in Monks Eleigh
Featured Image: The stripped excavation area showing the excavated enclosure ditch, © Border Archaeology A rural settlement, dating back approximately 2000 years to the Late Iron Age/Roman period, has been excavated in the village of Monks Eleigh. The excavations, which took place in September 2020 by Border Archaeology, revealed evidence of an early field systemContinue reading “Romans Found in Monks Eleigh”
The Hoxne Hoard
Featured Image: Gold and Silver coins from the Hoxne Hoard, © British Museum The Hoxne Hoard is one of the largest Roman treasure hoards ever to have been discovered in Britain. It consists of almost 15,000 coins and 200 other gold and silver objects buried in the 5th century AD. The Hoard was discovered byContinue reading “The Hoxne Hoard”
Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Oulton
A large Anglo-Saxon cemetery, dating back as early as the 6th Century, has been excavated near Oulton ahead of housing development. Over 200 sets of remains were discovered, with some graves containing copper-alloy brooches, wrist clasps, strings of beads made of amber and glass, small iron knives and silver pennies. The excavation of such cemeteriesContinue reading “Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Oulton”
Gaming Pieces, Exning
Seventeen gaming pieces were discovered in the grave of a female toddler (Grave 5) buried at the Exning Anglo-Saxon cemetery, dating to the late 6th to early 7th century AD. All but one of the pieces recovered from the grave were made from antler or animal bone. Four different styles of gaming piece were identified,Continue reading “Gaming Pieces, Exning”
Anglo-Saxon Boat burial, Snape
This boat burial (Grave 47) was excavated from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Snape. This burial belongs to a young, even adolescent, man and dates to the c. 6th Century AD. It is certain that the man was of high social standing despite his young age, as he was buried within a log boat adorned withContinue reading “Anglo-Saxon Boat burial, Snape”
Keystone Garnet Disc Brooch, Carlton Colville
A magnificent, nearly complete keystone garnet disc brooch was excavated from a grave (Grave 23) which was part of the 7th century Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Bloodmoor Hill, Carlton Colville. This is a local East Anglian made brooch copying the Kentish keystone disc brooches made during the late 6th–early 7th century. The brooch was discovered inContinue reading “Keystone Garnet Disc Brooch, Carlton Colville”
Figurative Animal Pin Heads, Staunch Meadow, Brandon
All the pins date to the 8th-9th Century AD. Some of the depictions on these pins are so abstract that the animal they represent remains a bit of a mystery. Found at the Anglo-Saxon monastic site at Staunch Meadow, Brandon, the three pins (Sf 2161, Sf 2163 and Sf 2297) have flat heads decorated withContinue reading “Figurative Animal Pin Heads, Staunch Meadow, Brandon”
Roman Pottery, Long Melford
A selection of pottery recovered from a group of burials excavated at Long Melford Primary School in 2012. The site produced evidence of a small-scale settlement where craft production and crop cultivation were taking place. The pots are types of Roman table ware and date to the 1st-2nd century BC. Cremation 0254This decorated Samian wareContinue reading “Roman Pottery, Long Melford”
Saxon Escutcheon, Elmswell
During a metal detecting survey over Langwell Bush and Church Field in Elmswell this beautifully decorated escutcheon (hanging bowl mount) was discovered. This particular example dates to the Early Saxon period and would have been deposited within a burial. The escutcheon is made from copper alloy and measures 31mm in diameter and only 2-3mm thick.Continue reading “Saxon Escutcheon, Elmswell”
Burial Assemblage from Barber’s Point, Friston
A community excavation at Barbers Point, Friston, revealed a burial belonging to a 16 year old Anglo-Saxon young woman. The burial, dating to AD 600, is part of a cemetery that was discovered at the site. What is remarkable about this particular grave was the deposition of an unusual assemblage of grave goods, including preservedContinue reading “Burial Assemblage from Barber’s Point, Friston”
Enamelled Roman Sandal Brooch, Pakenham
A delicate enamelled brooch in the shape of a Roman sandal or shoe sole, dating to AD 100-200. This brooch was found whilst metal detecting as a part of an excavation in the northern areas of Pakenham Roman small town. The excavations also revealed a high-status building with a hypocaust and possibly a bath house.Continue reading “Enamelled Roman Sandal Brooch, Pakenham”
Neolithic Grooved Ware Vessel, Foxhall
The vessel belongs to a widespread ceramic tradition called Grooved Ware that spanned Britain and Ireland during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. This astonishingly complete vessel was recovered from a Neolithic pit on a site to the East of Foxhall Hall. The site was excavated in 1991 as part of a water purificationContinue reading “Neolithic Grooved Ware Vessel, Foxhall”
Iron Age Bone Weaving Comb, Mildenhall
A weaving comb made of bone, dating to the Middle Iron Age (300-50 BC) . It was discovered in an Iron Age storage pit during excavations at Recreation Way, Mildenhall in 2010. The comb has been carved from a horse’s metapodial (cannon bone), it measures 15.9cm in length and 4cm in width. It still hasContinue reading “Iron Age Bone Weaving Comb, Mildenhall”
Medieval window glass, Bury St. Edmunds
974 fragments of medieval window glass were recovered during the excavations of St. Saviour’s Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. Many of the fragments were decorated with floral patterns or inscriptions. The window glass has been coloured in two ways: staining or painting. There are a large variety of colours including: blue, green, ruby and yellow.Continue reading “Medieval window glass, Bury St. Edmunds”
Three Steelyard Scales, Scole
Three sets of steelyard scales were discovered at the Roman Small Town of Scole on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. During the Roman period, steelyards were used to measure and weigh items through a balance mechanism. The diagram below shows a simple steelyard balance. The goods being weighed were placed in a container strung from the hookContinue reading “Three Steelyard Scales, Scole”
Jet Necklace, Risby
Excavations of a tumulus at Barrow Bottom in 1975 revealed a jet necklace and bracelet in an Early Bronze Age burial. In addition to the jet beads, the burial also contained a bronze bead, a bronze awl, flint tools and an urn that may have contained a human cremation. There were a staggering 151 beadsContinue reading “Jet Necklace, Risby”
Roman Frog Figurine, Wixoe
A delightful Roman frog figurine was discovered at Water Hall Farm, Wixoe. The figurine was discovered whilst metal detecting in the 1980s by Mike Cuddeford who donated it to Suffolk County Council. Recent survey and excavations close by have revealed a substantial Roman settlement. The frog figurine is small in size; measuring only 3.6cm longContinue reading “Roman Frog Figurine, Wixoe”
Roman Intaglio Finger Ring, Mid Suffolk
An intaglio finger ring dating to the Late Roman period (4th Century AD), discovered at a site in Mid Suffolk. It is possible that it was deposited as part of a burial. The hoop of the ring has been formed out of a gold strip, the delicate design on the ring has been formed outContinue reading “Roman Intaglio Finger Ring, Mid Suffolk”
Glass and Antler Inkwells from Staunch Meadow, Brandon
Seven internationally important Anglo-Saxon inkwells from the Middle Saxon settlement at Staunch Meadow, Brandon. Six of the inkwells are made from colourful glass and the remaining inkwell was carved from an antler tine (tip). Seven fragments of glass, belonging to six different inkwells were discovered during the excavations. These glass vessels were cylindrical in shapeContinue reading “Glass and Antler Inkwells from Staunch Meadow, Brandon”
Iron Age Terret Ring Moulds, Waldringfield
Waldringfield church grave yard is the site of a rather extraordinary find. Fragments of Late Iron Age pottery moulds used in the production of metal horse harness parts were discovered when a new grave was being dug in 1984. Subsequent excavation near the grave revealed no other metal working debris, so the location of theContinue reading “Iron Age Terret Ring Moulds, Waldringfield”
Anglo-Saxon Burial, Snape
The Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Snape has been investigated since 1862. With a range of burials, including cremations, inhumations and a ship burial, this cemetery provides a wealth of information on how Anglo-Saxons buried their people. People were being buried in this cemetery between the mid-6th century and the early 7th Century AD. This article focusesContinue reading “Anglo-Saxon Burial, Snape”
Saxon Brooch Mould, Ipswich
A Saxon brooch mould (context 0512, SF 41/5003), excavated in the 1990s from Franciscan Way (Wolsey Street), Ipswich. This site sits on the edge of the Saxon settlement and was used for industrial activity during the 9th-12th Centuries AD; in the 13th Century AD the site became the location of the Greyfriars Franciscan Friary andContinue reading “Saxon Brooch Mould, Ipswich”
Roman Enamelled Hare Brooch, Long Melford
This delightful Roman enamelled hare brooch (SF1016) was excavated from the grave of a young woman, and dates to the 2nd Century AD. The grave was unearthed by groundworks in Long Melford during 2008. The brooch is 2.9cm long and only 0.15cm thick and depicts a running hare. The body of the hare has beenContinue reading “Roman Enamelled Hare Brooch, Long Melford”
Garth Bungalow, Darsham
This abandoned bungalow hides a fascinating secret inside its walls – Victorian railway carriages were discovered when the bungalow was surveyed and recorded, before being demolished in 2007. The construction of ‘Garth’ bungalow looks normal from the outside – however it has walls made of Victorian railway carriages rather than bricks and mortar. Cottage ConstructionContinue reading “Garth Bungalow, Darsham”
Roman “Money Box”, Coddenham
A copper alloy “money box” from Cremation 6 from a small Roman settlement on the outskirts of ‘Combretovium’ in the parish of Coddenham. This 2nd-3rd century “money box” (SF49) was discovered in Cremation 6, (Feature 26 i, Area BJ/EN(S)) during excavations in April 1973. The “money box” is a remarkable piece of upcycling, as itContinue reading “Roman “Money Box”, Coddenham”
Finds Assemblage, Long Melford
A selection of finds were discovered in a pit on a settlement site at Chapel House, Long Melford. The finds include: animal bone, pottery and a spearhead dating from the Late Iron Age to Early Roman period. The objects were likely to have been deposited in the pit just after the Roman Conquest. The socketedContinue reading “Finds Assemblage, Long Melford”
Anglo-Saxon Pendant, Exning
An Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet necklace from Grave 8 in a cemetery excavated at Exning. The surviving components of this necklace were a gold bead and a red garnet set into a gold pendant. Necklaces such as these are usually found in the graves of elite status women; this particular necklace was buried with aContinue reading “Anglo-Saxon Pendant, Exning”
