A weekend in Suffolk: Sutton Hoo - 20 May 2011

Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk. The 255 acre estate surounding the house offers views over the river Deben and includes, on a hill overlooking the river, a field of ancient burial mounds. It was in 1938 that the then owner, Mrs EM Prety contacted a local archaeologist, Basil Brown, and asked him to investigate the mounds, and it was in 1939 that he uncovered what was to be the most exicting Anglo Saxon ship burial ever found in Britain.

This original picture of the dig puts the size of the ship in perspective when compared with the people. Many treasures were found indicating this to be the burial of a king or other important man in the community. He was surrounded by his possessions and and items of status with which he was equipped for his journey into the afterlife - his armour, sword and spears, a shield, cooking pots and drinking horns, and a board game.

A representation of the burial based on the artifacts that were found in the grave.

Other artifacts and replicas below, many originals are in thr British Musium.

Gold Buckle

Purse lid

Shoulder Clasp

Replica of the famous Sutton Hoo Helmet

Sutton Hoo Shield

a View from the Hoo

Time to rest a while

Well not many do get back do they?