Dr. Sue Brunning, curator of the European Early Medieval Insular Collection at the British Museum.
Special edition of Curator's Corner focusing on the Sutton Hoo helmet.
Sutton Hoo Helmet Overview
Location of Discovery: Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, England.
Year of Discovery: 1939, found in a ship burial dating to the early 7th century (Anglo-Saxon period).
Ship Details: 27 meters long, buried under a large earth mound.
Contents of Burial: Grave goods included golden garnet metalwork, feasting equipment, drinking horns, silver from the Eastern Mediterranean, and war gear, with the helmet as a key piece.
Significance of the Helmet
Only about four complete metal helmets survive from this period; the Sutton Hoo helmet is the most elaborate.
Features a human face, providing a relatable entry point into the distant past.
Reconstruction of the Helmet
First Reconstruction: 1940s by Herbert Marion, deemed inaccurate.
Current Reconstruction: Done in the 1970s by conservator Nigel Williams, took a year to piece together from hundreds of fragments.
Used curvature and thickness of fragments to match pieces.
Original and modern pieces: Original metal parts are lumpy, while smooth parts are modern reconstructions made from jute textile covered with plaster.
The reconstruction is designed to be reversible.
Helmet Features
Structure: Consists of a domed skull cap, neck guard, cheek pieces on hinges, and a two-headed snake crest.
Cultural Connections: Similarities with helmet styles from eastern Sweden (Uppland region).
Roman Influence: The helmet's form may be derived from late Roman types brought back by Northern European mercenaries.
Imagery on the Helmet
Decorative Imagery: Originally covered in dense repousse imagery including human and animal figures.
Scene of a mounted warrior trampling an enemy, featuring a third figure controlling the spear, with Roman roots but adapted for northern European context.
Ambiguous imagery reflecting both victory and defeat.
Another scene shows two figures with elaborate headdresses, possibly representing ritual dance or performance.
Symbolism and Interpretation
Predatory Creatures: The helmet's imagery includes a serpent crest and aggressive animal motifs, reflecting the qualities desired in a leader.
Garnet Decoration: Eyebrows lined with garnets to reflect light, one side appears more glittery, possibly symbolic of Woden (Odin), connecting the wearer to divine strength and protection.
Sensory Experience: Heavy helmet (approx. 2.5 kg) may alter the wearer's sensory perceptions, creating a transformative experience.
Usage in Battle
Uncertainty about whether the helmet was used in battle; its ornate nature might suggest a ceremonial function.
Different cultural values may have allowed for the use of ornate helmets in combat.
Conclusion
The Sutton Hoo helmet offers insights into Anglo-Saxon culture, identity, and beliefs.
Importance of context, connections between past and present, and the personality behind the helmet.
Invitation to explore more about the Sutton Hoo collection and subscribe to the British Museum's YouTube channel.