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The king's gold belt buckle
The warrior buried in his ship
Snakes on the belt buckle
Length: 13.200 cm
Width: 5.600 cm
Gift of Mrs E.M. Pretty
M&ME 1939,10-10,1
Room 41: Europe AD 300-1100
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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Download student activity sheet (164 Kb)