Anglo-Saxon sites in England

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 47. Chapters: Sutton Hoo, Offa's Dyke, Heathen hofs, Staffordshire Hoard, Yeavering, Cymenshore, Mucking excavation, Wansdyke, Purse Cover from Sutton Hoo Burial, Thurnscoe, Royal Saxon tomb in Prittlewell, St Augustine's Abbey, Portus Adurni, Walkington Wold burials, Wat's Dyke, Daw's Castle, Spong Hill, Snape boat grave, Fleam Dyke, Taplow burial, Old Minster, Winchester, Ringlemere barrow, Blowing Stone, New Minster, Winchester, Black Ditches, Cavenham. Excerpt: Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, is the site of two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries of the 6th century and early 7th century. One contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of Anglo-Saxon artefacts of outstanding art-historical and archaeological significance, which are now held in the British Museum in London. Other sites before then had already produced significant finds, but many had been looted. Sutton Hoo is of a primary importance to early medieval historians because it sheds light on a period of English history which is on the margin between myth, legend and historical documentation. Use of the site culminated at a time when Rædwald, the ruler of East Anglia, held senior power among the English people, and played a dynamic if ambiguous part in the establishment of Christian rulership in England; it is generally thought most likely that he is the person buried in the ship. The site has been vital in understanding the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of East Anglia and the whole early Anglo-Saxon period. The ship-burial, probably dating from the early 7th century and excavated in 1939, is one of the most magnificent archaeological finds in England for its size and completeness, far-reaching connections, the quality and beauty of its contents, and for the profound interest of the burial ritual itself. The initial excavation was privately sponsored by the landowner, but when the significance of the find became apparent, national experts took over. Subsequent archaeological campaigns, particularly in the late 1960s and late 1980s, have explored the wider site and many other individual burials. The most significant artefacts from the ship-burial, displayed in the British Museum, are those found in the burial chamber, including a suite of metalwork dress fittings in gold and gems, a ceremonial helmet, shield and sword, a lyre, and many pieces of silver plate from the Eastern Roman Empire. The ship-burial has from the time of its discovery prompted comparisons wi