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Current Archaeology 430
Highlights:
- Rendlesham rediscovered: Exploring landscapes of power in early medieval East Anglia
- People of the past: Building a future for Scotland’s archaeological human remains
- From royal hall to cannonballs: Rediscovering the many lives of the Woolwich Rotunda
- History in the shallows: Exploring intertidal and inland sites
From the Editor:
The turning of the year is always a point to pause and reflect. For me, this issue marks a mindful milestone, as it is my 100th since I became Editor. But there is also much to reflect on in the ever-evolving world of archaeology. CA 430 showcases the diversity of disciplines that make up our field, combining a report on a major excavation, thought provoking scientific and ethical insights, a historic building with an intriguing story to tell, and opportunities to take part in underwater investigations.
Our cover feature takes us to Rendlesham in Suffolk where, just four miles from the famous burials at Sutton Hoo, excavations have uncovered fascinating evidence of a large and undeniably high-status settlement. What can this site add to our understanding of the evolution of the East Anglian kingdom and the exercise of early medieval political power?
We next head north to Edinburgh to explore how cutting-edge new scientific facilities are helping to bring the stories of long-forgotten individuals to light once more. National Museums Scotland is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of archaeological human remains; an ongoing project is working to learn more about these people of the past, and to improve how their remains are studied and cared for.
In our third feature, we take a tour of the Woolwich Rotunda, a building that was first constructed to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon, and later served as a military museum. With this unusual structure now facing an uncertain future, we trace its eventful history and consider what might come next.
Finally, we dive into the work of the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS), highlighting three intertidal and inland projects that you can get involved with.
CARLY
Cover Story
Rendlesham rediscovered: Exploring landscapes of power in early medieval East AngliaOver the last two decades, evidence of a high-status early medieval settlement has been emerging just four miles from Sutton Hoo. What can Rendlesham tell…Features
People of the past: Building a future for Scotland’s archaeological human remains National Museums Scotland holds one of the largest collections of archaeological human remains from Scotland. Following the creation of cutting-edge facilities to care for and study these…
From royal hall to cannonballs: Rediscovering the many lives of the Woolwich RotundaCurrently on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register and described as being in ‘very bad’ condition, the Woolwich Rotunda is supported by a web…
History in the shallows: Exploring intertidal and inland sitesUnderwater archaeology is not all deep-sea diving. Artefacts and historic remains are periodically exposed on the shoreline before vanishing as the tide rises again, and…Comment
Bird-beaked masksDuring the Black Death of 1347 to 1352, doctors wore bird-beaked masks filled with various herbs that were designed to protect the wearer from breathing…
Great prehistoric sites: famous caves – Excavating the CA archiveFor my third and final column on the Palaeolithic, I will clamber into some of the most famous caves in the country. Even better –…News
Views
Current Archaeology Live! 2026In partnership with: Our upcoming conference, Current Archaeology Live! 2026, will be held on Saturday 28 February. We are delighted to be returning once more…
Current Archaeology’s December Listings: exhibitions, events, and heritage from homeThere are lots of great ways to get involved with history and archaeology over the next few months, including exhibitions, lectures, and conferences exploring a…
Bronze Age: Boat Discoveries at Must FarmA new exhibition at Flag Fen Archaeology Park, near Peterborough, brings the area’s prehistoric past to life – including a trio of Bronze Age and…
The Last Days of Pompeii: the immersive exhibitionA new exhibition in London uses cutting-edge technology to recreate the streets of Pompeii – and the explosive events that turned a thriving Roman settlement…Reviews
Community, Technology and Tradition: a social prehistory of the Great Orme MineREVIEW BY PAUL T CRADDOCK This is a very thorough description of every aspect of the prehistoric copper mines on the Great Orme at Llandudno.…
Floreat Salopia: a celebration of Shropshire’s history and archaeologyREVIEW BY BRANDON BRAUN The Latin motto for Shropshire – Floreat Salopia, ‘may Shropshire flourish’ – has been used since at least the 17th century,…
Cat Tales: A HistoryREVIEW BY CH Dogs may be ‘man’s best friend’, but cats also share a long relationship with humans – a tale (tail?) that archaeologist Jerry…
Living and Dying in a Lancashire Cotton TownREVIEW BY REBECCA GOWLAND The town of Blackburn in Lancashire was a key player in Britain’s industrial cotton boom, which saw a quadrupling of its…
Landscapes of Kingship in Early Medieval Ireland, AD 400-1150REVIEW BY FINBAR McCORMICK This book is the first interdisciplinary analysis of early Irish kingship based on both historical and archaeological sources; it was formerly…
Defined by Stones: 50 extraordinary rocky places that connect our prehistoric ancestors to northern landscapesREVIEW BY ROB IXER This is the second landscape book by Jackson to be published this year and is in many respects a prequel to…








