Editing Sutton Hoo (section)

=== Rupert Bruce-Mitford: 1965–1971 ===

After the war ended in 1945, the Sutton Hoo artefacts were removed from storage. A team, led by [[Rupert Bruce-Mitford]], from the British Museum's Department of British and Medieval Antiquities, determined their nature and helped to reconstruct and replicate the sceptre and helmet.{{sfn|Carver|1998|pp=26–31}} They also oversaw the conservation of the artefacts, to protect them and enable them to be viewed by the public.{{sfn|Carver|1998|p=32}}

From analysing the data collected in 1938–39, Bruce-Mitford concluded that there were still unanswered questions. As a result of his interest in excavating previously unexplored areas of the Sutton Hoo site, a second archaeological investigation was organised. In 1965, a British Museum team began work, continuing until 1971. The ship impression was re-exposed and found to have suffered some damage, not having been back-filled after excavation in 1939.{{sfn|Bruce-Mitford|1975|pp=230–344}}

Nevertheless, it remained sufficiently intact for a [[plaster cast]] to be taken and a [[fiberglass]] shape produced. The decision was then made to destroy the impression in order to excavate underneath. The mound was later restored to its pre-1939 appearance. The team also determined the limits of Mound 5 and investigated evidence of prehistoric activity on the original land-surface.{{sfn|Bruce-Mitford|1975|pp=230–344}} They scientifically analysed and reconstructed some of the finds.

The three volumes of Bruce-Mitford's definitive text, ''The Sutton Hoo Ship-Burial'', were published in 1975, 1978 and 1983.<ref>Four physical volumes; Carver ''Sutton Hoo'', pp. 41, 185</ref>