New Discovery Suggests Sutton Hoo Helmet's Origins May Lie Elsewhere Than Sweden

A find made by a metal detector enthusiast in Denmark has sparked inquiries into the roots of the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, which was long believed to be connected to Sweden.

The treasure hunter discovered a tiny metallic stamp on an island located in southern Denmark, featuring markings akin to those seen on the renowned helmet.

Peter Pentz, who works as a curator at the National Museum of Denmark, suggests that this finding increases the likelihood that the Sutton Hoo helmet might actually be from his country.

The archaeologist informed the GudangMovies21 that if the helmet is confirmed to be from Denmark, it might alter our comprehension of the distribution of power in 7th-century Northern Europe.

It is believed that Sutton Hoo was the final resting place of King Raedwald, the ruler of East Anglia, who passed away in 624 AD.

Discovered first in 1939, over 260 artifacts came to light at the Suffolk property, among them being an iron and copper-reinforced helmet, which stands out as one of the era’s most significant finds. Additional objects such as a shield and drinking horns further indicate ties with Scandinavia.

The helmet, currently kept at the British Museum, features an array of designs, such as two smaller sections showing riders atop horses.

It is thought to have been inspired by early Roman styles, and historians once suggested it could be from Uppland, in eastern Sweden, where comparable designs featuring mounted warriors were found on helmets. Experts believe it possibly served as either an heirloom or a diplomatic present.

However, experts from the National Museum of Denmark currently indicate that the newly discovered metal stamp has a strong resemblance to the helmet's designs.

A copper-alloy seal bearing a greenish hue was discovered two years prior by local archaeologist Jan Hjort. While using his metal detector to search through a field on the Danish island of Taasinge, he stumbled upon this metallic artifact.

Initially, he believed it was an ordinary " picture plate," but upon further inspection, he discovered it was something "remarkable" and shared this with GudangMovies21.

The distinctive element is the motif," he states. "It's an incredibly potent image.

The stylistic parallels are extremely pronounced," states Mr. Pentz, the curator. "We have never encountered such a strong connection before.

Similar themes have also been discovered in Germany, however, this one is the first to be uncovered in Denmark.

Mr. Hjort's discovery was turned over to a nearby museum, though it has only been examined closely in recent times.

The object has dimensions of only 5cm by 4cm (2in by 1.6in) and is thought to be either a stamp or "die," often referred to as a "patrice."

Although the design does not perfectly match the Sutton Hoo helmet, upon closely examining the two damaged helmet panels, Mr. Pentz notes that they share "numerous similarities."

"He points out that it’s the same horse by examining its nose, mane, ears, and tail," he explains.

He believes that the Sutton Hoo and Danish themes show more similarities with each other compared to those of Sweden, indicating that the helmet might have originated from or near the Danish islands.

The curator thinks that Taasinge might have hosted a metalworking shop in the 7th century. Evidence supporting this includes a small piece of silver likely intended for making foils and various fragments of metals discovered at the site.

Mr. Pentz suggests that this die likely originates from the same workshop or a similar setting as the Sutton Hoo helmet. The production was possibly carried out locally, or there may have been some trading involved.

The Anglo-Saxon ship burial ground at Sutton Hoo, located close to Woodbridge in Suffolk, is often referred to as England’s equivalent of the Valley of the Kings. This significant find was portrayed in the 2021 Netflix movie titled “The Dig.”

"It truly transformed our comprehension of the Anglo-Saxons," states Laura Howarth, who works as an archaeology and community engagement manager at Sutton Hoo, which is currently part of the National Trust properties.

The term Anglo-Saxon denotes populations originating from regions including present-day Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Despite this being over eight decades since initial discoveries, ongoing excavations continue to yield new insights and hypotheses regarding these ancient interments.

The Sutton Hoo helmet was meticulously reconstructed over several years after being initially discovered in fragments. It is currently exhibited at the British Museum. According to Ms. Howarth, this artifact serves as the "visage of the Anglo-Saxon era."

"The artistry and craftsmanship lie beneath the helmet," she explains. The Danish findings indicate that Sutton Hoo is "far from being a completed story," as Ms Howarth puts it.

She notes that it clearly belongs to a design lineage prevalent during this era,” indicating that several pieces linked strongly to Swedish influence were found in the Sutton Hoo burial site, along with a German pattern that bears striking resemblances.

Mr. Pentz thinks that the recent discovery supports the idea that Denmark held greater significance during this period than earlier believed, which could position Sweden and England at the margins of a key Danish “center of power.”

Yet, Ms Howarth from the National Trust remains doubtful. She states, "Relying solely on one discovery to precisely determine the relationship and power dynamics among Denmark, Sweden, and the Sutton Hoo community during that period would be quite speculative."

Mr. Pentz mentions that there are "certain hindrances" to his theory. The fragments of the Sutton Hoo helmet are extremely broken down into numerous pieces, and the Danish mark is quite eroded.

Next, he wishes for comprehensive 3D scans of the designs.

The discovery was made in an area where very few excavations had taken place, making it likely that the seal impression might have been exchanged or moved from another location.

It will be exhibited at the nation's National Museum in Copenhagen in April.