Sue Takes on the Sutton Hoo Helmet | Curator's Corner S6 Ep5 #CuratorsCorner #SuttonSue #TheDig

The British Museum
14 Jan 202118:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this special edition of 'Curator's Corner,' Dr. Sue Brunning introduces the renowned Sutton Hoo helmet, an exquisite piece from the early 7th-century Anglo-Saxon period. Discovered in 1939, the helmet, with its intricate design and human face, offers a relatable glimpse into the past. The reconstruction process, blending original fragments with modern techniques, reveals its cultural significance and the mysterious imagery that connects it to ancient Rome and Norse mythology. The helmet's presence evokes a sense of power and transformation, inviting speculation on its use in battle or ceremonial display.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 Dr. Sue Brunning is the curator of the European Early Medieval Insular Collection at the British Museum.
  • 🎩 The script discusses the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, a significant archaeological find from the Anglo-Saxon period in England.
  • 🗺️ The helmet was discovered in Suffolk, eastern England, as part of a ship burial from the early 7th century.
  • 💎 The helmet was accompanied by various grave goods, including gold, garnet metalwork, and feasting equipment.
  • 🪖 The Sutton Hoo helmet is one of only four complete metal helmets from this period, and it is considered the most elaborate.
  • 👤 The helmet features a human face, which provides a relatable connection to the people of the past.
  • 🔍 The helmet is a reconstruction from the 1970s by Nigel Williams, who spent a year piecing together hundreds of fragments.
  • 🛡️ The helmet's design has parallels with late-Roman types and may have been influenced by northern European mercenaries.
  • 🎨 The original helmet was adorned with repoussé imagery, depicting humans, animals, and scenes with a Roman flavor.
  • 🐉 The helmet features a crest in the form of a two-headed snake, which is a functional and symbolic element.
  • 🔮 The helmet's imagery, including the human face and animal motifs, suggests a connection with ancient gods and cultural practices.
  • 🤔 The script raises questions about the practicality of the helmet in battle and its potential use as a ceremonial or parade piece.
  • 🎭 The experience of wearing the helmet may have been transformative, affecting the wearer's senses and possibly evoking a sense of divinity or power.
  • 👁 The helmet's asymmetrical garnet settings may have been a deliberate reference to Odin, the Norse god who sacrificed one eye for wisdom.
Q & A

  • What is the Sutton Hoo helmet, and why is it significant?

    -The Sutton Hoo helmet is an early 7th-century Anglo-Saxon helmet discovered in Suffolk, England, as part of a ship burial. It is significant because it is one of only four complete metal helmets from this period and features intricate designs and craftsmanship, making it an important archaeological find.

  • Who reconstructed the Sutton Hoo helmet, and what challenges did they face?

    -The Sutton Hoo helmet was reconstructed in the early 1970s by British Museum conservator Nigel Williams. He faced the challenge of piecing together hundreds of fragments after the burial chamber collapsed and shattered the helmet. He used curvature and thickness matching techniques to reassemble it.

  • Why are some parts of the Sutton Hoo helmet made from modern materials?

    -Some parts of the Sutton Hoo helmet are made from modern materials like heavy-duty jute textile covered with plaster to allow for reversibility. This means if future research indicates inaccuracies in the reconstruction, it can be taken apart and redone without damaging the original fragments.

  • What are the key features of the Sutton Hoo helmet?

    -Key features of the Sutton Hoo helmet include a domed skull cap, a sloping neck guard, hinged cheek pieces, and an iron crest in the form of a two-headed snake. It also features facial fittings with original and modern parts combined.

  • What cultural connections does the Sutton Hoo helmet suggest?

    -The Sutton Hoo helmet suggests connections between eastern England and eastern Sweden (particularly Uppland) during the Anglo-Saxon period. The helmet's shape resembles late-Roman types, indicating influences from northern European mercenaries who served in the late-Roman army.

  • What kind of imagery is found on the Sutton Hoo helmet?

    -The Sutton Hoo helmet features dense repoussé imagery, including scenes of a mounted warrior trampling an enemy, two human figures in elaborate headgear possibly performing a ritual dance, and various interlacing animals, including dragons and boars.

  • What might the one-eyed appearance of the Sutton Hoo helmet symbolize?

    -The one-eyed appearance of the Sutton Hoo helmet, with garnets backed by gold foil on one side and not on the other, might symbolize a connection to the god Wōden (Odin), who sacrificed an eye for wisdom. This could suggest invoking Wōden's protection or strength.

  • How might wearing the Sutton Hoo helmet affect the wearer's senses?

    -Wearing the Sutton Hoo helmet would likely alter the wearer's senses due to its weight (around 2.5 kg) and enclosed design, affecting vision, hearing, smell, and even voice. This might create a dreamlike state or sense of transformation.

  • Could the Sutton Hoo helmet have been used in battle?

    -It is uncertain if the Sutton Hoo helmet was used in battle. While its ornate design suggests it might have been a parade helmet, the value judgment of modern observers may differ from the priorities of the time, where such imagery and display were powerful and important.

  • What is the significance of the dragon and boar motifs on the Sutton Hoo helmet?

    -The dragon and boar motifs on the Sutton Hoo helmet symbolize aggressive qualities and strength. Boar motifs were believed to make helmets impenetrable, as mentioned in the poem Beowulf. The imagery suggests qualities that leaders of the period aspired to embody.

Outlines
00:00
🎩 The Sutton Hoo Helmet: A Glimpse into the Past

Dr. Sue Brunning introduces the Sutton Hoo helmet, a renowned archaeological find from the early 7th century Anglo-Saxon period. Discovered in 1939, the helmet was part of a ship burial in Suffolk, England. It is one of the few complete helmets from this era and is celebrated for its intricate design, including a human face that offers a relatable connection to the period. The helmet, along with other grave goods, provides insight into the culture and craftsmanship of the time. Dr. Brunning suggests exploring the world from the perspective of the helmet's wearer, emphasizing the helmet's role in storytelling and its elaborate reconstruction from hundreds of fragments by conservator Nigel Williams.

05:04
🐲 The Artistry and Influences of the Sutton Hoo Helmet

The helmet's design is explored, revealing its connections to late-Roman types and the possible influence of northern European mercenaries. The imagery on the helmet, while fragmentary, is believed to have once been covered in repoussé work depicting humans and animals. Specific scenes, such as a mounted warrior trampling an enemy, show Roman influence with unique northern European adaptations. The helmet also features two figures with a mysterious horned headdress, possibly representing a ritual performance. The animal motifs, including a two-headed serpent crest and a menagerie of creatures, suggest a blend of cultural influences and a connection to the past.

10:08
🔥 The Symbolism and Construction of the Sutton Hoo Helmet

The helmet's symbolism is discussed, with the human face transforming into a flying creature adorned with garnets, suggesting a connection to the mythical and the divine. The presence of boar motifs on the helmet is linked to other period helmets and the Beowulf epic, where such helmets are described as impenetrable. The aggressive imagery of the helmet, including the serpent crest and the dragon-like creature, is believed to reflect the qualities of a leader. The use of garnets without gold foil on one side of the helmet may have created a one-eyed effect, possibly referencing Odin and his wisdom. The sensory experience of wearing the helmet is also considered, suggesting it may have induced a transformed mental state.

15:11
🛡️ The Impact and Mystery of the Sutton Hoo Helmet

The final summary ponders the psychological and social impact of the helmet, its rarity, and the intimidation it might have projected. The wearer, fully armored and wielding metal, would have appeared almost superhuman. The discussion also addresses the common question of whether the helmet was used in battle, acknowledging that while it may seem too ornate for combat, the values and priorities of the time could have differed. The video concludes with Dr. Brunning reflecting on the rare opportunity to interact with the helmet outside of its display case and encourages viewers to explore more about the Anglo-Saxon period and the British Museum's collection.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Sutton Hoo Helmet
The Sutton Hoo Helmet is the central artifact discussed in the video, an archaeological treasure from the early 7th century Anglo-Saxon period in England. It was discovered in 1939 as part of a ship burial in Suffolk, eastern England. The helmet is significant for its elaborate design and the fact that it is one of only four complete metal helmets from this era. It serves as a window into the past, offering insights into the culture and craftsmanship of the time.
💡Ship Burial
A ship burial is a funerary practice where a ship is buried with its deceased occupant, often accompanied by grave goods. In the video, the ship burial at Sutton Hoo is highlighted as the context for the discovery of the Sutton Hoo Helmet. The burial took place in a 27-meter long ship beneath a large mound, reflecting the high status of the individual and the importance of maritime culture in the period.
💡Anglo-Saxon
The term 'Anglo-Saxon' refers to the period in English history from the 5th to the early 11th century, marked by the settlement of Germanic tribes in England. In the video, the Anglo-Saxon period is the time frame in which the Sutton Hoo Helmet was created and used, indicating the cultural milieu that shaped its design and significance.
💡Grave Goods
Grave goods are items placed with a deceased person in a burial, often to accompany them in the afterlife or to denote their status. The video describes the Sutton Hoo Helmet as part of an array of grave goods found within the ship burial, including gold and garnet metalwork, feasting equipment, and other war gear, illustrating the wealth and social standing of the buried individual.
💡Reconstruction
The concept of 'reconstruction' in the video pertains to the process of reassembling the fragmented pieces of the Sutton Hoo Helmet into its current form. The helmet was reconstructed in the 1970s by Nigel Williams, a conservator at the British Museum, who painstakingly matched fragments to recreate the original appearance of the helmet, using a blend of original and modern materials.
💡Repoussé
Repoussé is a metalworking technique where an artist shapes metal from the reverse side to create a design in relief on the front. The video mentions that the original Sutton Hoo Helmet was covered in repoussé imagery, which would have given it a dense and intricate decorative surface, reflecting the high level of artistry of the period.
💡Uppland
Uppland is a historical province in eastern Sweden, mentioned in the video as having cultural connections with the Anglo-Saxon period in England, particularly in relation to the design of helmets found in both regions. The video suggests that the shape of the Sutton Hoo Helmet has parallels in Uppland, indicating a shared cultural heritage or exchange between the two areas.
💡Garnets
Garnets are a type of semi-precious stone that was popular in high-status metalwork during the Anglo-Saxon period. In the video, garnets are described as being used in the facial fittings of the Sutton Hoo Helmet, where they would have caught the light and glowed, adding to the helmet's visual impact and signifying the status of its wearer.
💡Boar Motifs
Boar motifs are decorative elements featuring the image of a boar, often used as a symbol of protection or strength. The video notes the presence of boar heads on the Sutton Hoo Helmet, suggesting a special connection between boars and helmets during this period, possibly symbolizing the wearer's invulnerability.
💡Wōden/Odin
Wōden, known as Odin in Scandinavian mythology, is a god associated with wisdom, among other attributes. The video suggests that the one-eyed appearance of the helmet, due to the lack of gold foil behind the garnets on one side, may be a deliberate reference to Odin, who is known for sacrificing one of his eyes for wisdom. This connection could imply that the wearer of the helmet sought to invoke Odin's protection or power.
Highlights

Introduction to Dr. Sue Brunning, the curator of the European Early Medieval Insular Collection at the British Museum.

The presentation of the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, a significant archaeological discovery from the Anglo-Saxon period.

Discovery of the helmet in 1939 as part of a ship burial, providing insight into early 7th-century England.

Description of the grave goods found with the helmet, including gold, garnet metalwork, and feasting equipment.

The rarity and elaborate design of the Sutton Hoo helmet, with only four complete helmets surviving from the period.

The helmet's human face, offering a relatable connection to the remote Anglo-Saxon period.

The reconstruction of the helmet in the 1970s by Nigel Williams, involving a year-long effort to piece together hundreds of fragments.

Explanation of the blend of original and modern pieces in the helmet, with the use of a reversible reconstruction material.

The helmet's design, possibly influenced by late-Roman types and northern European mercenaries.

Details of the helmet's imagery, including scenes of warriors and animals, with a Roman flavor.

Interpretation of the imagery on the helmet, suggesting a connection to Norse mythology and Odin.

The helmet's impact on the wearer's senses, potentially altering their perception and mental state.

The intimidating presence of the helmet, suggesting its use as a symbol of power and authority.

Speculation on the practical use of the helmet in battle, considering its ornate design.

The rarity of seeing the helmet outside its display case, emphasizing the uniqueness of the experience.

Invitation to explore other Curator's Corner episodes and the British Museum's YouTube channel.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

FEATURE LENGTH | TIME TEAM Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Days 1-3 (Winfarthing, Norfolk) 2023

The Greatest Archaeological Finds in Recent Years | Full History Hit Series

Skeletons in the Shed (Blythburgh, Suffolk) | S16E13 | Time Team

20 Greatest Archeological Discoveries Ever

British Infantry vs German Infantry (1940)

Roman Facts | Facts about Romans | Ancient Rome for Kids | Rome Facts for Kids | Facts about Romans

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Sutton HooHelmetMedievalArchaeologyBritish MuseumAnglo-SaxonCurator's CornerAncient ArtDr. Sue BrunningShip Burial