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Reports from officers for the AGM on 2022-04-09 are available in this pdf file: SIAH_AGM_2022-04-09_reports.pdf.

Lecture by John Parker - change of plan

It is with great reluctance that in the current circumstances, with the rise of the new variant of Covid about which we still know little, and the onset of the north winds, we have decided that Professor Parker's lecture on Parson, polymath and correspondent: The life and letters of John Stevens Henslow scheduled for Saturday 11 December at 2.00pm should be delivered (with Professor Parker's agreement of course) on the same date and at the same time but via Zoom. Please be aware that decisions will still need to made about the first lectures for the New Year; we will keep you informed.

A link for Professor Parker’s lecture will follow next week.

SIAH Rendlesham site visit 2021-09-07

SIAH is a partner in the Rendlesham Revealed project and a visit was arranged for members.

The tour led by Chris Scull was fascinating, illustrating the archaeological challenges of identifying, excavating, and recording features on well-drained sands, and the logistical ones of working with community volunteers in such exposed and unsheltered conditions. This is a site which requires getting one's eye attuned to the soil conditions, aided by an impressive programme of bulk-sieving.

Features included an extensive D-shaped (probably Iron Age) enclosure on the north side of the stream valley, and clusters of sunken-featured buildings which could have been lifted straight out of West Stow, though some of the industrial pits and hollows looked a bit more specialised.

This season is the precursor to investigation next year of the presumed royal settlement further to the south, intriguingly and perhaps significantly located around the later manor house and parish church.

Adrian Tindall

Further details of the project may be found at: https://heritage.suffolk.gov.uk/rendleshamrevealed.

A new book by Edward Martin, GREAT BRICETT MANOR AND PRIORY. Lords, Saints and Canons in a Suffolk Landscape is now available. Please see http://www.suffolkinstitute.org.uk/books for publication details and ordering information.