History discovery

Sutton Hoo

The mystery of the Anglo-Saxon ship burial

A Year 4 history project by Leo Simpson 4SC

An Anglo-Saxon helmet displayed in a museum
A famous Anglo-Saxon helmet is among the treasures linked with Sutton Hoo.

Place

Where is Sutton Hoo?

Sutton Hoo is near Woodbridge in Suffolk, England. It is a group of grassy burial mounds, not just one mound.

England

Look east

Suffolk is on the east side of England, close to the coast.

Found in 1939

When and why was it excavated?

Archaeologists excavated the Great Ship Burial in 1939. They carefully dug into the mounds to discover what was inside and to learn about the people who lived in Anglo-Saxon England.

Discoveries

What was found?

A great wooden shipThe shape and remains were found in the soil.
A burial chamberA special room made for a burial.
A famous helmetPlus shields and weapons.
Wonderful treasuresJewellery, coins, bowls and more.
What do these objects tell us?They show that the person buried there was important. Sutton Hoo helps us understand life in Anglo-Saxon England.

Quick facts

Top 10 Sutton Hoo Facts

  1. Sutton Hoo is near Woodbridge in Suffolk, England.
  2. It is an Anglo-Saxon archaeological site.
  3. The Great Ship Burial was excavated in 1939.
  4. The site has several burial mounds.
  5. Archaeologists found the shape of a large ship in the soil.
  6. The ship’s wooden parts had rotted away, but their outline remained.
  7. A burial chamber was found inside the ship.
  8. The discoveries included a famous Anglo-Saxon helmet, shields and weapons.
  9. Jewellery, coins, bowls and other treasures were also found.
  10. Sutton Hoo helps us learn about life in Anglo-Saxon England.

Big fact

Sutton Hoo is one of Britain’s most important archaeological discoveries.

The ship’s wood had rotted away, but its shape was preserved in the soil — like a giant hidden outline waiting to be found.