Sutton Hoo Buckle

Sutton Hoo Buckle

(Michael Wal Photo)

Sutton Hoo belt buckle.

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The Sutton Hoo belt buckle is a remarkable archaeological find discovered in the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk, England. Dating back to the early 7th century, this intricately crafted belt buckle is a masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon artistry and craftsmanship. Made of gold and adorned with intricate filigree work, garnets, and other precious stones, the buckle showcases the skill and sophistication of the artisans of the time. The design of the buckle features intricate animal motifs, likely symbolizing power and prestige

Sutton Hoo is the site of two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries dating from the 6th to 7th centuries near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. Archaeologists have been excavating the area since 1938, when an undisturbed ship burial containing a wealth of Anglo-Saxon artifacts was discovered. The site is important in establishing the history of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia as well as illuminating the Anglo-Saxons during a period which lacks historical documentation.The site was first excavated by Basil Brown, a self-taught archaeologist, under the auspices of the landowner Edith Pretty, but when its importance became apparent, national experts took over. The artefacts the archaeologists found in the burial chamber include: a suite of metalwork dress fittings in gold and gems, a ceremonial helmet, a shield and sword, a lyre, and silver plate from the Eastern Roman Empire. The ship burial has prompted comparisons with the world of Beowulf. The Old English poem is partly set in Götaland in southern Sweden, which has archaeological parallels to some of the Sutton Hoo finds. Scholars believe Rædwald, king of the East Angles, is the most likely person to have been buried in the ship.

During the 1960s and 1980s, the wider area was explored by archaeologists and other burials were revealed. Another burial ground is situated on a second hill-spur about 500 m (1,600 ft) upstream of the first. It was discovered and partially explored in 2000, during preliminary work for the construction of a new tourist visitor centre. The tops of the mounds had been obliterated by agricultural activity. The cemeteries are located close to the River Deben estuary and other archaeological sites. They appear as a group of approximately 20 earthen mounds that rise slightly above the horizon of the hill-spur when viewed from the opposite bank. The visitor centre contains original artefacts, replicas of finds and a reconstruction of the ship burial chamber. The site is in the care of the National Trust; most of these objects are now held by the British Museum. (Wikipedia)

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(Ziko-C Photo)

Sutton Hoo Warriors Helmet Recreation.

(Robroyaus Photo)

Sutton Hoo Purse Lid.

(Robroyaus Photo)

Sutton Hoo shoulder clasp.

(Colin Payne Photo)

Sutton Hoo shield reconstruction.

(British Museum Photo)

Sutton Hoo sword. Iron pattern-welded sword blade, heavily corroded. The blade is broad and tapers slightly towards the pointed tip. Near the hilt, two circular indentations mark the position of the two scbbard bosses 1939,1010.26-27. Traces of the wooden sheath remain on the blade (1939,1010.95.C). For the hilt fittings, see 1939,1010.19-25. Length: Length: 720 millimetres (blade)(blade)Length: Length: 851 millimetres (overall, with scabbard and hilt)(overall, with scabbard and hilt)Width: Width: 64 millimetres. The Sutton Hoo sword was not restored from fragments - it was lifted as a solid but rusted unit. A more proper description, based on the catalogue entry in Sutton Hoo, Volume I. p. 441, would read: pattern-welded iron blade rusted in an oxydised fur-lined wooden scabbard, bound round the top with tapes.

The radiographs suggest that it was built up of four bundles of seven rods twist-forged in an alternating pattern and lying back to back with four more bundles of seven rods. The bundles of rods twist alternately to right and left, forming a double band of the characteristic herringbone pattern that is one of the most distinctive features of such blades.

This Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon Sword is based on the remains of the original sword found at the famous Sutton Hoo burial site.  The hilt an pommel are made from wood and brass and are decorated with red enamel to mimic the red shine of the garnets on the original. The hardwood grip is adorned with brown leather and fitted to the hilt with rivets in the same way as the original. The blade is forged of high carbon steel, and the leather bound wooden scabbard boasts antiqued brass fittings and a loop facilitating the sword being fastened to a belt. Total length: 88 cm. Blade length: 73 cm. Grip length: 11 cm. Weight: 1.2 kg.

(psychosid09 Photo)