tour 3 of 13
Anglo-Saxon England
Sutton Hoo belt buckle
As well as weapons, the warrior was buried with expensive luxury
objects such as silver bowls and plates, drinking horns, a musical
instrument called a lyre, and a number of expensive buckles and
fastenings. Click on the picture below left to see how the
objects may have been placed around him in the grave. Can you see
the helmet next to him, and the lyre in the corner?
Like most Anglo-Saxon men, the warrior wore a belt. This solid
gold buckle was used to fasten it. The master craftsman who made it
decorated it in a Germanic style. What looks like an abstract
pattern is in fact many snakes twisted together. If you are
careful, you can follow one from mouth to tail. How many can you
find? Click on the picture below left if you need some
help.
Resources for teachers
Activities based around the question 'How can you tell if a
brooch or buckle is Anglo-Saxon?'
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