tour 9 of 10
Sutton Hoo
Purse
The Anglo-Saxons liked to show off their wealth as much as
people do today. This is the lid of a leather purse which held 37
coins. It is the richest one found from this time, with gold and
garnet cloisonné decoration. Can you see a man standing
between two wolves and an eagle? These animals meant strength and
courage.
The purse itself had rotted away, but the coins inside turned
out to be crucial in setting a date for the burial. The latest date
for the coins was AD 620, so the person was probably buried soon
after this. This makes sense because at that time East Anglia was
the most powerful kingdom in the country.