Page 2 Astronomy and Archeology

 

Summer solstice line

There is an ancient line that runs through Sutton Hoo Royal Burial Ground, the Snape Anglo-Saxon Cemetery and the old Leiston Abbey chapel at Minsmere (1).

This lines passes southwest-wards across the River Deben at Kyson Point, and then enters Martlesham Wilds.  The old oak tree to the north west of Lumber Wood would be a great place to sit at sunrise at mid-summer, June 21st, to watch the sun rise above Sutton Hoo and wonder.

(1) A ritual landscape considered: Cosmography & Anglo-Saxon Ship Burials
Jeremy Taylor & Mark Taylor           Version 2 (2020)  PDF

The Moon

The next major lunar standstill was in 2025  Lunar standstill   

There is a line that runs from Sutton Hoo directly to the Anglo Saxon palace at Rendlesham - this is the maximum northerly direction of moonrise.

Archaeology

An archaeological desk-based assessment was carried out in May 2024 for SWT to inform the planning permission application for the creation of new scrapes and ponds.

Field walking was undertaken in 2024 to look for artifacts.

Cables for offshore wind farms run through the Wilds and archaeological reports have been produced.

Woodbridge archaeology and history  Woodbridge

Seven Springs site Cable route finding  and Report

History of Suffolk  Suffolk history      

Rendlesham  Site of  an Anglo-Saxon palace

Archaeological Field Unit Report (2005) S.N. Kemp.  Martlesham Mill (post-medieval), and possible Roman villa and kiln.

Martin, E. A. (1993). Settlements on Hill-tops: Seven Prehistoric Sites in Suffolk. Suffolk County Planning Department. Includes Martlesham




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