Sutton Hoo

New research unlocks more secrets about an ancient buried ship and its treasure.

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When archaeologists (experts who study W ancient objects) found the imprint of a ship in a field near Woodbridge, in Suffolk, England, in 1939, they knew they had uncovered something special. The area was an Anglo-Saxon burial site at a place called Sutton Hoo. Along with the 27-metre long ship, they found a treasure trove of 7th century objects, including jewellery and weapons, and something stranger - a space where a body once lay. Archaeologists were puzzled. Why was a boat buried in a field? And who was it for?

Unearthing a mystery

The site was first investigated in 1938 when landowner Edith Pretty asked local archaeologist Basil Brown to look at mysterious mounds on her estate. The following year, the ship burial was found. Archaeologists from Cambridge University took over and discovered items "of the highest quality" including gold, silver, a helmet and a sword. This was clearly the grave of an important person, but where was the body?