Since it's discovery in 1939, Sutton Hoo has been a leading source into the lives and ways of the Anglo Saxon people. Found in Suffolk, England, Sutton Hoo was an Anglo Saxon burial site which was home to many graves. Even though every grave provided an insight into the lives of the old English people, no burial could ever quite compare to that of the ship. Found under a mound at the burial site, the well-known ship burial is said to be the "greatest surviving example of Anglo Saxon culture in England.".
This is said because upon discovery, many items were found inside the ship. These items could tell historians about Anglo Saxon religion, their culture, who they traded with and what life was generally like. .
In this presentation I plan to talk about the most famous of the Sutton Hoo graves, the ship burial; the burial which housed many sacred possessions and which was chosen the be the final resting place of a mighty king. I will answer the question on what this famous ship tells us about Anglo Saxon religion and culture and also talk about who archaeologists believe was buried there. .
As you can see, many items were found inside the ship. Some items had disintegrated over time, but since its discovery, over 100 artefacts have been found. Items ranged from simple things such as cutlery to rare possessions such as rings and swords. I will not attempt at listing them all, but I will mention a few. Among the objects were many items of defensive armour, such as spears, shields, helmets, knives and swords.
Feasting equipment was also discovered; including silver spoons and bowls, cauldrons, bottles and drinking horns. Also found was a flask which was estimated to hold 178 pints of beer. Clothing items such as a gold buckle, shoulder clasps, a coat, shoes and an otter fur cap along with 37 gold coins, 3 unstruck coin blanks and two small ingots made of gold were discovered also. Of course there is much more to the wonders than I have mentioned here but it is these items; the gold, the clothing and the armour, which give the most insight into the Anglo Saxon people.
