Although there is almost certainly no direct link between the events described in beowulf and the burial, the same world of traditions and ideas. Sutton hoo was the ancestral burial ground of the east anglian kings, called the wuffings, from wuffa. Buy the sutton hoo ship burial 3 by angela care evans isbn. Beowulf opens with the funeral of a king in a ship laden with treasure. Sutton hoo sutton hoo sutton hoo is an anglosaxon ship burial also described by some as a grave field that is located in england in the county of suffolk.
Miraculously unplundered, the anglosaxon ship burial discovered at sutton hoo in1939 throws light on a mysterious time in english history. It lies in a burial ground which contains all the elements of archaeological mystery. The ship was discovered on a high bluff on the eastern side of the deben river, which is about seven miles from the sea. Sutton hoo ship found in suffolk 80 years ago will be. To find the burial, choose the religion theme and move the timeline selector to between ad 400 and ad 1050, then choose anglosaxon britain. One cemetery contained an undisturbed shipburial, including a wealth of. The grave was found intact and undisturbed, and had a large amount of anglosaxon artifacts in it, which are now in the british museum. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise cambridge core to connect with your account. The shoulderclasp and belt buckle below were part of the treasure discovered in the ship burial site. Sutton hoo was the site of a ship burial of an important anglosaxon person, possibly king raedwald of east anglia. The ship, nearly 30m long, had been dragged uphill from the estuary of the river deben to a royal gravefield and buried beneath a large circular mound. Of course, whilst there is a definite connection between sutton hoo and beowulf, there is no concrete evidence to confirm this connection as others have also associated the poem. The decisive factor in dating the tumulus is the forty small gold coins preserved in the purse worn at the belt.
Its significance to the study of beowulf is the interesting. One cemetery contained an undisturbed ship burial, including a wealth of anglosaxon artefacts of outstanding arthistorical and archaeological significance, most of which are now in the british museum in london. Doc the poem beowulf and the sutton hoo burial as evidence for. The sir paul and lady ruddock gallery the internment of a ship at sutton hoo represents the most impressive medieval grave to be discovered in europe. My son was home from thailand and we were talking about the sutton hoo ship burial site in england. The poem contains other descriptions of hoards, beowulfs burial mound.
I found this to be a very good work on the sutton hoo ship burial, its treasures, the culture of anglosaxon england and the archeological dig that brought these things to the light of day. Reconstruction of helmet mask from the sutton hoo ship burial. Theodons leadership and care for his people carries a similar weight to that of beowulf and might be projected onto the historical figure of raedwald, king of the east angles who is the most probable candidate for the sutton hoo ship burial. In 1939, a seventhcentury ship burial was excavated at sutton hoo near woodbridge in suffolk. But who was buried there and what did it reveal about this period in history. The sutton hoo helmet is a decorated and ornate anglosaxon helmet found during a 1939 excavation of the sutton hoo ship burial. Angela care evans book the sutton hoo ship burial is very similar to brucemitfords handbook in many ways although it gives much more attention to the individual artifacts from mound one. The sutton hoo ship burial was in totality, excavated four times 193839, 196571, 198692 and 2000. Revisiting sutton hoo, britains mythical ship burial the. We are very interested in this kind of discovery and find the subject fasinating. Sutton hoo is an archaeological site in suffolk, england bestknown for the anglo saxon burial mounds, including a kings rich ship burial. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The archaeological discoveries of sutton hoo, the staffordshire hoard, and the book of kells, along with the epic beowulf, all analyze the connection between the present and the past time period of the anglosaxons.
The sutton hoo helmet is a decorated and ornate anglosaxon helmet found during a 1939 excavation of the sutton hoo shipburial. Until the 1939 discovery of the ship burial at sutton hoo, it had been taken for granted that the oldest surviving long poem in old english, beowulf was pure fantasy. Alex woolf, of the university of st andrews, entitled sutton hoo and sweden, on the links between the famous ship burial of an anglosaxon king in east anglia, mediaeval sweden, and beowulf. The sutton hoo ship burial provides remarkable insights into early anglosaxon england. Sutton hoo, at sutton near woodbridge, suffolk, is the site of two 6th and early 7thcentury cemeteries. Essay about sutton hoo and beowulf epic beowulf essays. Sutton hoo press is a literary fine press named after the famous anglosaxon archaeological dig of a royal ship burial. Angela care evans book the sutton hoo shipburial is very similar to brucemitfords handbook in many ways although it gives much more attention to the individual artifacts from mound one. Since the initial discovery of the ship burial in 1938, when newspaper reports. It reveals a place of exquisite craftsmanship and extensive international connections, spanning europe and beyond. Sutton hoo, grid reference tm288487 near woodbridge, suffolk, is the site of two anglosaxon cemeteries of the 6th and early 7th centuries, one of which contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of artefacts of outstanding arthistorical and archaeological significance. Sutton hoo ship found in suffolk 80 years ago will be rebuilt.
Sutton hoo ship burial sutton hoo ship burial video the sutton hoo purse lid the sutton hoo helmet the lindisfarne gospels codex amiatinus the utrecht psalter carolingian browse this content carolingian art, an introduction charlemagne part 1 of 2. It lies in a site that contains all the elements of archaeological mystery and romance. Selected by choice magazine as an outstanding academic book for 1999. Even though there is no direct link between the poetry and the ship. One contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of anglosaxon artifacts of outstanding arthistorical and archaeological significance, now held in the british museum in london.
I found the authors integration of the sutton hoo dig with the historical and cultural world of the times to be very informative and enjoyable. The sutton hoo burial ship was uncovered by archaeologists during the summers of 1938 and 1939. The sutton hoo helmet is one of the most important finds from sutton hoo. Anglian england anglosaxon england anglosaxon studies antiquity archaeology barrow beowulf birds book of durrow britain british museum bronze brooch byzantine celtic christian coinage context datable. Anglo saxon and viking ship burial the british museum. Sutton hoo, estate near woodbridge, suffolk, england, that is the site of an early medieval burial ground that includes the grave or cenotaph of an anglosaxon king.
It is too easy to forget that beowulf is a work of literature. Sutton hoo sutton hoo is a world famous anglo saxon ship burial. Inside the burial mound was the imprint of a decayed ship and a central chamber filled with treasures. Its gold and silver, helmet and sword, drinking horns and lyre are a throwback to an age of warrior kings and pagan gods.
Dec 07, 2009 the sutton hoo is one of the most important archeological findings in english history. The magnificent treasures of sutton hoo, the final resting. At last we come to the famous sutton hoo burial site. The sutton hoo findings prove the historical value of many description and references found in this great epic poem. The gold jewelry and other artifacts reveal a sophisticated, artisticallyaware society. In the late 1930s, edith pretty invited archaeologists to investigate her land which contained several large burial mounds. Its significance to the study of beowulf is the interesting mix of christian and pagan practices involved in the burial that mirrors a similar mix in beliefs in the poem. Sutton hoo mcgill university school of computer science.
It was buried around 625 and is widely believed to have belonged to king r. In 1939 a series of mounds at sutton hoo in england revealed their astounding. Warrior culture and christian culture from the anglosaxon time period, are apart of. The royal estate would have encompassed what we know today as bromeswell, eyke and sutton, with sutton hoo sitting on the southern edge of rendlesham. One contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of anglosaxon artefacts of outstanding arthistorical and archaeological significance, which are now held in the british museum in london. Beowulf, sutton hoo, and the wuffings with dr sam newton wuffing education at the suffolk punch trust, hollesley, ip12 3jr on saturday, 3 rd november, 2018 an introduction to the old english epic of beowulf and its implications for our understanding of sutton hoo and the culture of the wuffings of east anglia. Sutton hoo is the burial place of a number of anglosaxon people, one of whom might have been a king of east anglia. An introduction to beowulf and sutton hoo wuffing education. Discovered in 1939, this burial site contains a wealth of information about anglosaxon culture. Beowulf is an anglosaxon poem about a man named beowulf, a fictional or. Aug 12, 2019 the find at sutton hoo, in 1939, turned out to be europes largest ship burial, helping to fill a blank in the nations story weeks before the outbreak of the second world war. Sutton hoo was in the kingdom of east anglia and the coin dates suggest that it may be the burial of king raedwald, who died around 625. This site is best known for the anglosaxon burial mounds that were discovered during the first half of the 20th century, including a magnificent ship burial, which is popularly believed to have belonged to an anglosaxon king.
A ship burial is certainly not a christian burial, but neither is it ritually pagan. We will begin our discussion of hibernosaxon art with an examination of the socalled sutton hoo ship burial. Inside the burial moundwas the imprint of a decayed ship and a central chamber filled with treasures. Selected by choice magazine as an outstanding academic book for 1999 the sutton hoo ship burial is one of the most significant archaeological finds ever made in europe. The treasure ship of sutton hoo national geographic. An early literary epic has been reclaimed from the vikings, reports david keys. At the heart of the sutton hoo ship burial was a chamber surrounded by riches from byzantium and beyond, pointing to the existence of international connections the origin of the term viking is uncertain, perhaps coming from old norse words for pirates, seaborne expeditions, or an area in southeastern norway called viken. Ship burials were a common practice of burial in ancient germanic culture reserved mostly for people of higher status who merited the pain and effort of transporting an entire ship from the sea to the land and burying it underground with the deceased. The ghostly treasure ship of sutton hoo history magazine. Sutton hoo is the site of two anglosaxon cemeteries dating to the 6th and early 7th centuries ce that is located near woodbridge, suffolk, england. Internet archive contributor internet archive language english. Among many priceless goods armor, weapons, coins, intricate gold jewelry, silver drinking horns and trinkets, textiles, byzantine treasures and fine clothes all coming from all over europe there was also the famous sutton hoo helmet dated to 600 650 ad. I then went on line and ordered this one for my son. Beowulf s burial mound, and a description of a helmet which could all find real life counterparts from the finds at sutton hoo.
In 1939, a seventhcentury ship burial was excavated at sutton hoo near. The burial mound at sutton hoo is believed to be that of king raedwald, who was a member of the wuffinga family, descended from wuffa the first king of the east angles. An introduction to the study of the old english epic of beowulf and its implications for our understanding for the archaeology of sutton hoo. For it is generally accepted that beowulf was composed in about a. Necklaces, helmets, shield mounts, coins, jewelry, eating utensils, and all manner of other symbols of germanic living have been found at the site, at an estate near woodbridge, in suffolk. Scyld is put onto a ship with his weapons and many treasures, and then the vessel is set off into the sea.
In 1939 a ship was found filled with the war gear and treasure of a heroic age english king. The reference to beowulf, the epic poem written in old english that is, anglosaxon, is not casual. The excavated remains of the valuable items are now displayed in the british museum. Sutton hoo is the site of two 6th and early 7thcentury cemeteries. The internment of a ship at sutton hoo represents the most impressive medieval grave to be discovered in europe. The anglosaxon burial at sutton hoo the debris field. One contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of anglosaxon artifacts of outstanding arthistorical and archaeological significance, now held in. Together, archaeology and literature paint a detailed picture of anglosaxon culture. The find at sutton hoo turned out to be europes largest ship burial, complete. The sutton hoo ship burial is one of the most significant finds ever made in europe. An introduction to the study of the old english epic of beowulf and its implications for our understanding continue reading. The treasure of sutton hoo vouches for the splendour described in the poem and the potential wealth. Revisiting sutton hoo, britains mythical ship burial the new yorker.
Discovered in the summer of 1939, just as war was looming, the sutton hoo ship housed the most richly furnished burial chamber found on british soil. The burial, one of the richest germanic burials found in europe, contained a ship fully equipped for the afterlife but with no body. Model of the sutton hoo ship s structure as it might have appeared, with chamber area outlined a ship burial or boat grave is a burial in which a ship or boat is used either as a container for the dead and the grave goods, or as a part of the grave goods itself. Objects have a symbolic resonance which increases the impact of the imagery. The lady on whose land the burial was found donated it all to the british museum. Sam newton draws together the sutton hoo and beowulf links with the raedwald. The summer of 1939 saw one of the most exciting archaeological finds ever dug from british soil, an undisturbed anglosaxon ship burial at sutton hoo, near woodbridge in suffolk. It is an ancient ship burial that was discovered in 1939. An introduction to beowulf and sutton hoo with dr sam newton at the old court, sutton hoo on saturday, 18th january 2014. The anglosaxon ship burial at sutton hoo british museum.
The archaeological discoveries of sutton hoo 1907 words. The anglosaxon vessel found in the sutton hoo burial mound in suffolk 80 years ago will sail again as experts look to rebuild the ship from digital 3d models. The sutton hoo shipburial is one of the most significant archaeological finds ever made in europe. There was the magical old english poem beowulf, a manuscript of which.
Nearly three centuries before the sutton hoo burial, prudentius wrote in his hymn for the burial of the dead, which is still in regular for that we see the body rest deserted by the mind, t is but a little while that it remains alone, ere it. This description is similar in detail to the sutton hoo ship except for the fact that this ship was buried on land. Jun 09, 2014 sutton hoo sutton hoo is a world famous anglo saxon ship burial. Jun 27, 2014 archive footage of the excavation of the sutton hoo ship burial in suffolk, in the east of england in 1939. Additionally, the entire sutton hoo burial is also open to interested visitors for viewing. I went on line to the british museum and found that this is the book that they sell there. For example, the old poem beowulf describes a burial of the danish royal family member, scyld scefing, being put to rest in a boat, surrounded by treasures. The find at sutton hoo, in 1939, turned out to be europes largest ship burial, helping to fill a blank in the nations story weeks before the outbreak of the second world war. Jan 11, 2016 i immediately plunged into further research on beowulf and two archaeological sites which i hope will be useful. Shortly before world war ii, archaeologists uncovered in east anglia a remarkable find. This site in which the ship was found is called sutton hoo. Ancient syrian bitumen discovered in anglosaxon boat at sutton hoo, east anglia the magnificent treasures of sutton hoo, the final resting place of anglosaxon royals. Revisiting sutton hoo, britains mythical ship burial.
If sutton hoo man was raedwald, raedwald was anyway an ambivalent christian. This is a good source for those who need good photograp hs and descriptions of the individual artifacts and less focus on the actual dig. Beowulf and sutton hoo sources for a lost world giacondas. One of the papers presented that impressed me the most was by dr. Reconstructing everyday lives in the midthcentury fenland landscape. The sutton hoo ship burial the ship at sutton hoo under excavation. Fifteen of their barrows or grave mounds make up sutton hoo.
Their father was said to be the first of this dynasty to rule the east angles. Sutton hoo archaeological site, suffolk, england, united. Dec 09, 2019 the anglosaxon vessel found in the sutton hoo burial mound in suffolk 80 years ago will sail again as experts look to rebuild the ship from digital 3d models. May 10, 2019 sutton hoo is an archaeological site located near the town of woodbridge, in suffolk, east anglia, england.