Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – Discovered in the late 1930s, Sutton Hoo is a site of great archaeological significance, named after the Old English terms “Sut” and “hoo,” meaning a heel-shaped hill. This site revealed human remains and an entire ship, becoming crucial for understanding East Anglia’s kingdom during the Anglo-Saxon era. Comprising 20 burial mounds near a North Sea port suggests that those interred were important figures, possibly even royalty. Some theories propose that one or more graves might belong to Byzantine kings.
Credit: Alex Healing CC BY 2.0, and National Trust. Image compilation by AncientPages.com
This period, dating back to around 575 A.D., followed Rome’s withdrawal from Britain, allowing the region to develop independently. Previous research indicates that the Byzantine army recruited British soldiers who fought against the Sasanians in what is now Iran.
Excavations at Sutton Hoo have continued over time, with significant activity in 2024 when archaeologists from Time Team collaborated with the National Trust, FAS Heritage, and over 80 international volunteers. They conducted test pits and metal detection at Garden Field—the most intensive excavation since the early 2000s.
The Discovery Of The Byzantine Bromeswell Bucket
During this excavation phase, they discovered missing pieces of an intriguing 6th-century Byzantine Bromeswell bucket that was previously found in 1986 and 2012.
The mystery surrounding this artifact, which vividly portrays a North African hunting scene with warriors, weaponry, lions, and a hunting dog, has intrigued researchers for years. Experts are convinced that this bucket originated from the Byzantine Empire and was skillfully crafted in Antioch—modern-day Turkey—before making its journey to Britain’s eastern coast a century later. The elusive nature of the vessel’s base has only added to its enigma at an Anglo-Saxon site. However, recent discoveries have brought us closer to solving the Bromeswell puzzle.
Time Team has joined forces with the National Trust on a two-year research project | © James Dobson/National Trust Images
Recently, scientists discovered a block of dirt containing fragments of a bucket. Through meticulous analysis, they uncovered the entire base, which features embellishments such as complete feet, paws, and figures’ shields. Additionally, this analysis revealed the missing face of one of the warriors.
The artifact pieces were carefully extracted as a single block for further analysis under laboratory conditions. Initially uncertain about its condition or contents, it was later found to be completely intact and contained a cremation burial and grave goods.
The block underwent computerized tomography (CT) scanning and X-rays at the University of Bradford where its base and contents were first examined. Supported by Time Team’s Patreon contributors, it was subsequently sent to York Archaeological Trust for detailed micro-excavation work.
A Cremation Vessel
The team made a fascinating discovery when they uncovered the bucket’s unexpected contents: cremated animal and human remains. This finding provides valuable insights into the reasons behind the vessel’s burial. Among the burnt bones, researchers discovered a remarkably well-preserved comb, which may hold DNA evidence of an individual likely of high status who was interred over a thousand years ago.
The cremated human remains include parts of a talus (ankle bone) and fragments of a skull vault (the upper part of the skull that protects the brain). Specialists are currently analyzing these remains to gain insights into the cremation process and identify what materials were used on the funeral pyre.
Further fragments of the Bromeswell bucket have been uncovered at Sutton Hoo. Credit: David Brunetti/National Trust Images
In early Anglo-Saxon times, horses were frequently included in cremation pyres as symbols of status. The animal bones found suggest they belonged to an animal larger than a pig. Further testing indicates that due to how tightly packed the cremated bones are, they might have originally been contained within a bag. Although disturbances occurred when fragments were first discovered in 1986, copper-alloy staining on one bone suggests it may have initially been buried outside of the bucket.
“We knew that this bucket would have been a rare and prized possession back in Anglo-Saxon times, but it’s always been a mystery why it was buried. Now we know it was used to contain the remains of an important person in the Sutton Hoo community. I’m hopeful that further analysis will uncover more information about this very special burial,” Angus Wainwright, National Trust archaeologist, said.
Mystery Object Revealed
Time Team osteoarchaeologist Jackie McKinley has chosen some cremated bone from the bucket for radiocarbon dating, which could provide valuable insights into how this significant grave contributes to our understanding of the Sutton Hoo story.
The double-sided antler comb has been remarkably well-preserved, despite being buried in acidic soil. This condition is noteworthy because acidic environments typically accelerate the deterioration of organic materials. Credit: FAS Heritage
Additionally, scans have identified a mystery object as a double-sided comb, likely made from antler and not burnt. Antler and bone combs have been discovered in both male and female burials, indicating that personal grooming was important to the Anglo-Saxons.
See also: More Archaeology News
“We’ve finally solved the puzzle of the Bromeswell bucket – now we know that it is the first of these rare objects ever to have been used in a cremation burial. It’s a remarkable mixture – a vessel from the southern, classical world containing the remains of a very northern, very Germanic cremation. It epitomises the strangeness of Sutton Hoo – it has ship burials, horse burials, mound burials and now bath-bucket burials. Who knows what else?, Helen Geake, Time Team’s Anglo-Saxon expert, says in a press release.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
