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Original helmet
Replica: front view
Replica: side view
1968: Excavation of the ship
From Mound 1, Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Anglo-Saxon
Height: 31.8 cm
Width: 21.5 cm
Gift of Mrs E.M. Pretty
M&ME 1939,10-10,93
Room 2
Anglo-Saxon England
Sutton Hoo helmet
The most famous Anglo-Saxon treasures in the Museum come from the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk. Here mysterious grassy mounds covered a number of ancient graves. In one particular grave, belonging to an important Anglo-Saxon warrior, some astonishing objects were buried.
Archaeologists discovered this helmet lying in the tomb. It was an amazing, rare find. It was also very unusual because it had a face-mask. Look at the nose, eyebrows and holes for the warrior's eyes. What sort of impression would the person who wore it have made? Can you see a dragon with outstretched wings, made up by the two bushy eyebrows, nose and moustache?
When this helmet was found it had broken into more than 500 pieces. Conservators carefully put it back together, rather like doing a huge 3-D jigsaw.
Resources for Teachers
An enquiry based around the Sutton Hoo helmet.
Download teachers' notes (27 Kb)
Download student activity sheet (40 Kb)