Ep 9. The Sand Bodies of Sutton Hoo

The Sand Bodies of Sutton Hoo is the ninth episode of the second season of Mystic Britain, a show that explores the mysteries of ancient Britain through archaeological discoveries and folklore.

In this episode, the focus is on the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk, where a stunning discovery was made in the summer of 1939. A local landowner called Basil Brown stumbled upon a buried ship from the early 7th century, which contained the remains of a great Anglo-Saxon warrior, along with a vast array of treasures.

The episode delves into the history and significance of the Sutton Hoo site, exploring how the Anglo-Saxon era was a time of great upheaval and change in Britain. The warriors of that time were legendary figures, often remembered in later tales and poems as bold and courageous fighters.

The show examines the process of the excavation at Sutton Hoo, which was a major feat of archaeology at the time. The team had to work under difficult conditions, with wartime constraints on resources and the threat of German bombs looming overhead. Despite these challenges, they managed to uncover an astonishing hoard of objects, ranging from the intricate gold buckle of a warrior's belt to the delicate filigree work on a silver bowl.

One of the most striking discoveries at Sutton Hoo was the presence of human remains, which were found in deep pits dug into the sand. The show examines the theories surrounding these remains, which have been subject to intense scrutiny and debate among archaeologists and historians. Some believe that these were the bodies of sacrificed slaves or prisoners of war, while others argue that they could have been members of the warrior's retinue, buried with him as part of a grand funeral ritual.

To shed more light on this mystery, the show features expert interviews and re-enactments that bring the story of Sutton Hoo to life. Viewers will hear from historians, archaeologists, and even a poet who has written a tribute to the warrior king who was buried at the site.

As well as exploring the history of the site, the episode also touches on the ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret the Sutton Hoo treasures for future generations. The show visits the nearby National Trust property, which houses a collection of the artifacts from the site, and meets some of the people who work behind the scenes to tell the story of this remarkable piece of British history.

Overall, The Sand Bodies of Sutton Hoo is a fascinating episode that shines a light on one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in British history. Through the lens of this remarkable site, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the complex and dynamic world of the Anglo-Saxon era, and how the warrior ethos and the quest for power reverberated through the centuries.