Editing Sutton Hoo (section)

=== Martin Carver: 1983–1992 ===
[[File:The Sandman - geograph.org.uk - 1000294.jpg|thumb|Recent excavations revealed a figure that had been rolled into a shallow grave]]

In 1978 a committee was formed in order to mount a third and even larger excavation at Sutton Hoo. Backed by the [[Society of Antiquaries of London]], the committee proposed an investigation to be led by [[Philip Rahtz]] from the [[Department of Archaeology at the University of York|University of York]] and Rupert Bruce-Mitford,{{sfn|Carver|1998|p=43}} but the British Museum's reservations led to the committee deciding to collaborate with the [[Ashmolean Museum]]. The committee recognised that much had changed in archaeology since the early 1970s. The [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives']] [[privatisation]] policies signalled a decrease in state support for such projects, whilst the emergence of [[post-processualism]] in [[archaeological theory]] moved many archaeologists toward focussing on concepts such as social change.{{sfn|Carver|1998|pp=45–47}}

The Ashmolean's involvement convinced the British Museum and the Society of Antiquaries to help fund the project. In 1982, Martin Carver from the University of York was appointed to run the excavation, with a research design aimed at exploring "the politics, social organisation and ideology" of Sutton Hoo.{{sfn|Carver|1998|pp=45–47}} Despite opposition by those who considered that funds available could be better used for [[rescue archaeology]], in 1983 the project went ahead.

Carver believed in restoring the overgrown site, much of which was riddled with rabbit warrens.{{sfn|Carver|1998|pp=48–49}} After the site was surveyed using new techniques, the topsoil was stripped across an area that included Mounds 2, 5, 6, 7, 17 and 18. A new map of soil patterns and intrusions was produced that showed that the mounds had been sited in relation to prehistoric and Roman enclosure patterns. Anglo-Saxon graves of execution victims were found which were determined to be younger than the primary mounds. Mound 2 was re-explored and afterwards rebuilt. Mound 17, a previously undisturbed burial, was found to contain a young man, his weapons and goods, and a separate grave for a horse. A substantial part of the gravefield was left unexcavated for the benefit of future investigators and as yet unknown scientific methods.{{sfn|Carver|2005}}