The dig at Sutton Hoo looks completely different than it did in 2019

I went back to Sutton Hoo last week after not visiting since 2019. The main mound area used to be a pretty bare grassy hill with a tiny marker. Now they've got actual walkways and a viewing platform that shows the ship outline in the turf. It's way more accessible but something about the old empty field felt more honest to the original excavation. Am I the only one who thinks these site upgrades kill some of the mystery?

3 comments

3 Comments

chen.casey11d agoMost Upvoted

Not really that deep is it? @taylor.amy is right, the platform was there way before 2019. People get weirdly romantic about old dirt and grass. The ship outline thing is just turf management, not some sacred landscape.

bettyfox3d ago

Oh I see it differently, I mean yeah the platform's been there a few years but that ship outline has been visible way longer than that if you know where to look. There's something about seeing that shape from the ground that just hits different than looking at it from a walkway, you know?

taylor.amy11d ago

Oh man, I totally get what you're saying about the mystery, but actually I think the viewing platform has been there since around 2017 or so? I remember seeing photos of it being built online before the whole ship outline thing was even that visible. Maybe it's just me but I feel like the old grassy field didn't really show how massive the ship was, you know? The new walkway kind of puts it in perspective even if it does feel a bit theme park-ish.