The final season of archaeological excavations at Rendlesham took place in September 2023, as part of the Rendlesham Revealed project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This year, volunteers investigated areas near to the royal hall, discovered last summer, to answer more questions regarding the dating and layout of the settlement.
Local volunteers were part of the team, alongside professional archaeologists, led by Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service and with Cotswold Archaeology.
The excavations are now finished and the trenches have been back filled. Please note that the site is on private land with no public access.
The Excavations 2023 in Pictures
Use the arrows to scroll through the slideshow or view the whole album on flikr.com
Week-by-Week Discoveries
Check out the articles below for updates each week following the excavation as it progresses.
Week 1 (2023) - Returning to Rendlesham
During the first week, we have been setting up the site, getting the facilities delivered and opening up the trenches.
Read the week 1 article on our blog »
Week 2 (2023) - The Excavations at Rendlesham
In week two, we have welcomed our first volunteers to site, including 13 young people from Suffolk Family Carers, students from University College London and the general public. They have been excavating the boundary ditches, uncovering animal bone and pottery. The star object this week is a fragment of a ceramic mould made of fired clay.
Read the week 2 article on our blog »
Week 3 (2023) - The Excavations at Rendlesham
In week 3, we welcomed a new group of volunteers to the excavations at Rendlesham. It was a very hot week, but our volunteers put in a sterling effort despite the heat and work is progressing very well.
Read the week 3 article on our blog »
Week 4 (2023) - The Excavations at Rendlesham
In week 4, the excavation is progressing and finds processing has started. We have also welcomed to site the Year 4 class from Eyke Primary School and clients from Suffolk Mind.
Read the week 4 article on our blog »
Week 5 (2023) - The Excavations at Rendlesham
In week 5, the team focused on recording and continuing to excavate the archaeological remains. This week the Year 5 class from Rendlesham Primary School and clients from Suffolk Mind and Men’s Advice and Recovery Support BPD Group joined the team.
Read the week 5 article on our blog »
Week 6 (2023) - The Excavations at Rendlesham
In week 6, many of the features have been excavated and are now being recorded with the GPS for the post-excavation plan. Volunteers have also been cracking on with the finds processing and have participated in the fieldwalking survey.
Read the week 6 article on our blog »
Week 7 (2023) - The Excavations at Rendlesham
In week 7, During the final week of the Rendlesham Revealed excavations the volunteers finished digging and recording the archaeological features as well as cleaning the trenches ready for the final drone photographs. Several new discoveries were made including another building and a burial.
Read the week 7 article on our blog »
