Anglo-Saxon grave goods
I can explain how archaeologists have used grave goods to make inferences about Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Anglo-Saxon grave goods
I can explain how archaeologists have used grave goods to make inferences about Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- One of the main sources of evidence archaeologists use to investigate the Anglo-Saxons are their grave goods.
- The Sutton Hoo burial mound was discovered in East Anglia in 1938; it contained the grave goods of an Anglo-Saxon king.
- Intricate gold and bronze jewellery has helped archaeologists to understand that the Anglo-Saxons were skilled artisans.
- Some pieces contain garnets that probably came from as far away as India; silver plates and bowls were from Byzantium.
- A beautiful bronze helmet, a sword and the remains of a boat show how important warfare was to Anglo-Saxon culture.
Common misconception
Students may think that we only know about the Anglo-Saxons because of written history.
We know mostly about the Anglo-Saxons because of grave goods and other archeological finds.
Keywords
Grave goods - grave goods are objects buried in people's graves, providing insights into their culture and daily life
Artisan - an artisan is a skilled craftsperson who creates objects by hand, often using traditional techniques and tools
Garnet - garnet is a precious gemstone that comes in various colours, often used in jewellery and decorative items
Byzantium - Byzantium is the name of an ancient Greek city which was an important centre of trade and culture, now known as Istanbul
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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