Missing pieces of a 6th-century Byzantine bucket have been uncovered at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England. The fragments were discovered following careful excavation and metal-detecting at the National Trust site as part of a a taping of the TV show Time Team.
Specialist archaeologists, conservators, and volunteers from Time Team, the National Trust, and FAS Heritage have participated in the dig. This excavation is part of a two-year research project exploring the earlier history of Sutton Hoo, famous for the Great Ship Burial discovered there in 1939.
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Time Team employed advanced technology, led by geophysical surveys from John Gater of SUMO Geophysics. This included XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) analysis, enabling the confirmation that the fragments found in Garden Field are part of the 6th-century Bromeswell Bucket. These fragments feature figures matching those on the original find.
Special technology such as XRF has been able to confirm that copper alloy fragments already in the collection are part of the Bromeswell Bucket. Photo Credit – James Dobson, National Trust Images
Fragments of the bucket were first uncovered at Sutton Hoo in 1986, with additional pieces unearthed in 2012. Each fragment has been meticulously cleaned, reshaped, and mounted to recreate its original appearance, with some parts now displayed in the High Hall exhibition.
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Angus Wainwright, Regional Archaeologist for the National Trust, said, “Working in partnership with Time Team and FAS Heritage has been an incredible experience. It’s really helped to make a difference to our understanding of Sutton Hoo and formed part of our lasting legacy.
“Earlier geophysical surveys carried out by Time Team had identified some mysterious anomalies, which led us to the excavation of Garden Field. Because of its proximity to fragments discovered much earlier, we had hoped this year’s dig would yield more of the Bromeswell Bucket, which originated from the Byzantine empire in the 6th century – around a hundred years before the ship and its extraordinary treasure was put to rest.
“It’s hoped that this two-year research project will help us to learn more about the wider landscape at Sutton Hoo and the everyday lives of the people that lived there, perhaps even shedding some light on why the Royal Burial Ground was placed where it was. So, this find is a great step on that journey.”
Excavating and metal-detecting has taken place over June, as part of the first phase of a wider research project. Photo Credit – James Dobson, National Trust Images
The team also confirmed that other metal fragments excavated earlier were part of the same bucket. Angus added, “Using Time Team’s specialist technology, including XRF, we’ve been able to confirm that some of the other fragments already held in our collection are in fact part of the same artefact. Thanks to closer inspection, we now believe that the bucket had been previously damaged and then repaired. In-depth analysis of the metals suggests it might even have been soldered back together.”
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This discovery is one of several finds uncovered at Sutton Hoo over the past four weeks, with more to be revealed in a Time Team documentary special early next year, presented by Sir Tony Robinson.
The entirety of Garden Field has now been metal-detected, and the items recovered from this year’s dig have been recorded in 3D. They will be sent away for processing and cataloguing before returning to Sutton Hoo at a later date.
Over 80 volunteers and staff have participated in the first phase of the research project, including volunteers from the Restoration Trust, which offers culture therapy to people with mental health challenges. The project has also involved members of the archaeological team that conducted a dig on the Royal Burial Ground in the 1980s, led by Professor Martin Carver.
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Time Team, which launched on the UK’s Channel 4 in 1994, is now supported by thousands of fans on Patreon, with some supporters traveling from the USA and Australia to join week three of this year’s dig.
Led by archaeologist and TV presenter Carenza Lewis, the group spent three days in Riverview Field, digging metre-wide test pits and sifting the spoil in search of prehistoric history.
“This year’s dig has been fantastic, and we’ve really been able to piece together part of a 40-year mystery and unearth a new chapter in the Sutton Hoo story,” said Tim Taylor, Time Team’s Series Producer and Creator.
“Over the past four weeks, we’ve experimented with some new technology and perspectives, including the use of a live 360-camera and first-person ‘Specs-Cam,’ which has really brought our fans closer to the action.
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“It’s also been a fantastic opportunity to welcome so many Patreon supporters and volunteers to Sutton Hoo in person, which is widely considered England’s ‘Valley of the Kings.’”
Lets catch up with Keith and see what he got up to yesterday on Day 1 at Sutton Hoo…
Top Image: The Bromeswell Bucket has been unearthed over several years, with many of its fragments reshaped into its original form and now on display in the High Hall at Sutton Hoo. Photo Credit – David Brunetti, National Trust
Missing pieces of a 6th-century Byzantine bucket have been uncovered at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England. The fragments were discovered following careful excavation and metal-detecting at the National Trust site as part of a a taping of the TV show Time Team.
Specialist archaeologists, conservators, and volunteers from Time Team, the National Trust, and FAS Heritage have participated in the dig. This excavation is part of a two-year research project exploring the earlier history of Sutton Hoo, famous for the Great Ship Burial discovered there in 1939.
Time Team employed advanced technology, led by geophysical surveys from John Gater of SUMO Geophysics. This included XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) analysis, enabling the confirmation that the fragments found in Garden Field are part of the 6th-century Bromeswell Bucket. These fragments feature figures matching those on the original find.
Fragments of the bucket were first uncovered at Sutton Hoo in 1986, with additional pieces unearthed in 2012. Each fragment has been meticulously cleaned, reshaped, and mounted to recreate its original appearance, with some parts now displayed in the High Hall exhibition.
Angus Wainwright, Regional Archaeologist for the National Trust, said, “Working in partnership with Time Team and FAS Heritage has been an incredible experience. It’s really helped to make a difference to our understanding of Sutton Hoo and formed part of our lasting legacy.
“Earlier geophysical surveys carried out by Time Team had identified some mysterious anomalies, which led us to the excavation of Garden Field. Because of its proximity to fragments discovered much earlier, we had hoped this year’s dig would yield more of the Bromeswell Bucket, which originated from the Byzantine empire in the 6th century – around a hundred years before the ship and its extraordinary treasure was put to rest.
“It’s hoped that this two-year research project will help us to learn more about the wider landscape at Sutton Hoo and the everyday lives of the people that lived there, perhaps even shedding some light on why the Royal Burial Ground was placed where it was. So, this find is a great step on that journey.”
The team also confirmed that other metal fragments excavated earlier were part of the same bucket. Angus added, “Using Time Team’s specialist technology, including XRF, we’ve been able to confirm that some of the other fragments already held in our collection are in fact part of the same artefact. Thanks to closer inspection, we now believe that the bucket had been previously damaged and then repaired. In-depth analysis of the metals suggests it might even have been soldered back together.”
This discovery is one of several finds uncovered at Sutton Hoo over the past four weeks, with more to be revealed in a Time Team documentary special early next year, presented by Sir Tony Robinson.
The entirety of Garden Field has now been metal-detected, and the items recovered from this year’s dig have been recorded in 3D. They will be sent away for processing and cataloguing before returning to Sutton Hoo at a later date.
Over 80 volunteers and staff have participated in the first phase of the research project, including volunteers from the Restoration Trust, which offers culture therapy to people with mental health challenges. The project has also involved members of the archaeological team that conducted a dig on the Royal Burial Ground in the 1980s, led by Professor Martin Carver.
Time Team, which launched on the UK’s Channel 4 in 1994, is now supported by thousands of fans on Patreon, with some supporters traveling from the USA and Australia to join week three of this year’s dig.
Led by archaeologist and TV presenter Carenza Lewis, the group spent three days in Riverview Field, digging metre-wide test pits and sifting the spoil in search of prehistoric history.
“This year’s dig has been fantastic, and we’ve really been able to piece together part of a 40-year mystery and unearth a new chapter in the Sutton Hoo story,” said Tim Taylor, Time Team’s Series Producer and Creator.
“Over the past four weeks, we’ve experimented with some new technology and perspectives, including the use of a live 360-camera and first-person ‘Specs-Cam,’ which has really brought our fans closer to the action.
“It’s also been a fantastic opportunity to welcome so many Patreon supporters and volunteers to Sutton Hoo in person, which is widely considered England’s ‘Valley of the Kings.’”
Top Image: The Bromeswell Bucket has been unearthed over several years, with many of its fragments reshaped into its original form and now on display in the High Hall at Sutton Hoo. Photo Credit – David Brunetti, National Trust
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