Why is Time Team heading back to Suffolk's Sutton Hoo?

This summer a four-week excavation uncovered the missing fragments of a 6th century Byzantine bucket, as well as several newly discovered Anglo-Saxon graves.

Archaeologists, film crews and volunteers will return to Garden Field for four weeks from mid-May next year.

Time Team will continue phase two of their research project to find out more about the archaeology of the Suffolk site, which is famous for the Anglo-Saxon ship burial discovered there in 1939. 

Angus Wainwright at this summer's Time Team dig (Image: Paul Geater)

Regional Archaeologist for the National Trust, Angus Wainwright, said: “The first phase of the project, which took place in June, was the most intensive period of excavation Sutton Hoo has seen since the early 2000s. 

“It was a really exciting moment for us and ended on a high, with the discovery of missing fragments of the Bromeswell Bucket, which originated from the Byzantine empire in the 6th century.” 

Parts of the Bromeswell Bucket were found during this year's excavation. (Image: David Brunetti/National Trust)

A number of human cremations were also discovered during this latest excavation, indicating the burial ground that was discovered in Garden Field in 2000 stretches further than previously thought. 

The burial ground discovered in 2000, revealed 13 cremations and nine burials, and is believed to predate the Royal Burial Ground.

The whole Garden Field has now been covered by a metal detector - it is the field beside the visitor centre and High Hall exhibition. (Image: James Dobson/National Trust)

It’s likely to be the final resting place of residents of low to relatively high-status families – maybe even the grandparents and great-grandparents of those laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground many years later. 

The story has been documented by Time Team and will feature in their documentary special with Sir Tony Robinson, which is due to be released next year.  

More than 17,500 visitors came to see the dig take place in June, as well as about 80 volunteers and staff, who took part in the excavations at Garden Field and at the test pits in River View Field, close to the shores of the River Deben.  

Time Team helped to boost visitor numbers to Sutton Hoo. (Image: Newsquest)

As part of the project, the whole Garden Field was metal detected and surveyed and phase two, which will begin on Monday 19 May 2025, will build on this work, including the excavation of a second trench.

It’s hoped that the team will find out even more about the prehistory of Sutton Hoo, and gain a better understanding of the second cemetery in Garden Field.  

Tim Taylor at Sutton Hoo Data Dome (Image: Paul Geater)

Tim Taylor, creator and producer of Time Team, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to one of the most iconic archaeological sites in Britain with the National Trust.

"This next phase of the dig offers an incredible opportunity to continue uncovering the secrets of Sutton Hoo and we can’t wait to see what new discoveries await us in 2025.”