This month we made a visit to Sutton Hoo, which is an archaeological site in Suffolk, England, known for its Anglo-Saxon cemeteries dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. In 1938, archaeologists discovered an undisturbed ship burial containing a wealth of Anglo-Saxon artifacts, including the famous Sutton Hoo helmet.
The Sutton Hoo Exhibition Hall
This discovery fundamentally changed our understanding of Anglo-Saxon England, revealing a society of skilled craftspeople and far-reaching trade connections.
Sutton Hoo Burial Mound
The Sutton Hoo site is now managed by the National Trust and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the burial mounds, see replicas of the excavated artifacts, and learn more about this fascinating period in history.
James Wenn with a garent stone (copyright Nationa Trust & Phil Morley)James Wenn with a garent stone (copyright Nationa Trust & Phil Morley)
A particular reason for this visit was to follow up on matters connected to recently shared scholarship of James D. Wenn’s which takes in Anglo-Saxon art and its connection to geometry, and the way that art uses garnets to freight meanings contained in geometric shapes. The natural form of a garnet crystal connects to the design of Anglo-Saxon jewelry and architecture and it is understood that these geometric shapes were used to represent philosophical and religious concepts.
On wich note, notice that Old Sir Rowland was always painted with a garent ring…
Sir Rowland Hill, Attingham Park copy
