Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Introduction to Sutton Hoo
Introduction to Sutton Hoo
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial primarily associated with?
- A. A Roman settlement
- B. A burial site of a high-status Anglo-Saxon individual ✓
- C. A Viking ship
- D. A medieval battlefield
Why: The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial is a significant archaeological site from the early 7th century, associated with the burial of a high-status Anglo-Saxon individual.
Q2. In which county is Sutton Hoo located?
- A. Kent
- B. Suffolk ✓
- C. Essex
- D. Cambridgeshire
Why: Sutton Hoo is located in the county of Suffolk, England.
Q3. What was discovered in the ship burial at Sutton Hoo?
- A. A collection of Roman coins
- B. A variety of high-status grave goods, including weapons and jewelry ✓
- C. A set of medieval manuscripts
- D. A large hoard of gold coins
Why: The ship burial at Sutton Hoo contained a wide range of high-status grave goods, including weapons, armor, jewelry, and other items indicating the individual's wealth and status.
Q4. Which historical figure is believed to have been buried at Sutton Hoo?
- A. King Arthur
- B. Rædwald, King of East Anglia ✓
- C. Alfred the Great
- D. King Harold II
Why: Rædwald, King of East Anglia, is believed to have been buried at Sutton Hoo, based on historical and archaeological evidence.
Q5. What is the significance of the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial in the study of early medieval England?
- A. It provides evidence of Roman influence in England
- B. It offers insight into the material culture and social hierarchy of the early Anglo-Saxon period ✓
- C. It confirms the existence of the Viking Age in England
- D. It reveals the religious practices of the Anglo-Saxons
Why: The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial is significant because it provides valuable insights into the material culture, social hierarchy, and burial practices of the early Anglo-Saxon period.
Module 2
Module 2: The Discovery of the Ship Burial
The Discovery of the Ship Burial
Knowledge check
Q1. Who discovered the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial in 1939?
- A. T. E. Lawrence
- B. Basil Maine ✓
- C. Edgar Evans
- D. Howard Carter
Why: Basil Maine was the landowner who discovered the ship burial in 1939.
Q2. What was the initial discovery at Sutton Hoo that led to the uncovering of the ship burial?
- A. A sword ✓
- B. A helmet
- C. A shield
- D. A boat
Why: The initial discovery was a sword, which led to the uncovering of the ship burial.
Q3. In which county is the Sutton Hoo site located?
- A. Kent
- B. Suffolk ✓
- C. Essex
- D. Cambridgeshire
Why: Sutton Hoo is located in the county of Suffolk, England.
Q4. What was the approximate date of the burial at Sutton Hoo?
- A. 5th century AD
- B. 6th century AD
- C. 7th century AD ✓
- D. 8th century AD
Why: The burial at Sutton Hoo is believed to date back to the 7th century AD.
Q5. What was the significance of the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial?
- A. It was the first ship burial ever discovered
- B. It provided insight into the early medieval period in England ✓
- C. It was the largest ship burial ever found
- D. It was the only ship burial found in England
Why: The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial provided valuable insight into the early medieval period in England, particularly the Anglo-Saxon era.
Module 3
Module 3: Archaeological Excavation Techniques
Archaeological Excavation Techniques
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the primary purpose of stratigraphy in archaeological excavation?
- A. To determine the age of artifacts based on radiocarbon dating
- B. To analyze the layers of soil and their chronological order ✓
- C. To identify the materials used in ancient construction
- D. To map the location of buried structures
Why: Stratigraphy involves the study of soil layers to understand the chronological sequence of events at a site.
Q2. Which excavation technique is used to carefully remove artifacts from a site without disturbing their context?
- A. Grid excavation
- B. Test pit excavation
- C. Screening
- D. Trowel excavation ✓
Why: Trowel excavation is a delicate method used to remove artifacts while preserving their context.
Q3. What is the main advantage of using a grid system during excavation?
- A. It helps in identifying the types of soil present
- B. It allows for precise recording and mapping of the site ✓
- C. It speeds up the excavation process
- D. It is used for dating organic materials
Why: A grid system allows for accurate mapping and recording of each area excavated.
Q4. Which of the following is a common tool used in archaeological excavation?
- A. A hammer and chisel
- B. A pickaxe
- C. A trowel ✓
- D. A shovel
Why: A trowel is a common tool used for careful excavation and removal of soil.
Q5. What is the main goal of archaeological excavation?
- A. To destroy ancient sites for study
- B. To recover and document artifacts in their context ✓
- C. To build new structures on the site
- D. To sell artifacts to collectors
Why: The main goal is to recover and document artifacts while preserving their context for study.
Module 4
Module 4: Artifacts and Their Significance
Artifacts and Their Significance
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the primary purpose of the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial?
- A. To serve as a royal palace
- B. To bury a high-status individual with grave goods ✓
- C. To function as a religious temple
- D. To store valuable artifacts
Why: The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial was a burial site for a high-status individual, likely a king, who was buried with numerous grave goods indicating his importance.
Q2. Which of the following artifacts was NOT found in the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial?
- A. Swords
- B. Gold belt buckles
- C. Modern technology ✓
- D. Ceremonial armor
Why: The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial contained various historical artifacts, but no modern technology was found, as the burial dates back to the early 7th century.
Q3. What does the presence of a ship in the burial suggest about the individual interred?
- A. He was a merchant
- B. He was a warrior or leader with strong maritime connections ✓
- C. He was a religious figure
- D. He was a farmer
Why: The ship symbolizes the individual's status and possibly their role in maritime activities, suggesting they were a warrior or leader with significant influence.
Q4. What material were the gold belt buckles found in the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial made from?
- A. Silver
- B. Gold ✓
- C. Bronze
- D. Iron
Why: The gold belt buckles found in the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial were made from gold, showcasing the wealth and status of the individual buried.
Q5. What does the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial reveal about early medieval Anglo-Saxon society?
- A. It was a nomadic society
- B. It had a complex social hierarchy and rich material culture ✓
- C. It was isolated from other cultures
- D. It was a purely agricultural society
Why: The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial reveals that early medieval Anglo-Saxon society had a complex social hierarchy and a rich material culture, as evidenced by the elaborate grave goods and burial practices.
Module 5
Module 5: The Anglo-Saxon Context
Module 6
Module 6: Burial Practices and Social Hierarchy
Burial Practices and Social Hierarchy
Module 7
Module 7: Legacy and Modern Interpretations
Legacy and Modern Interpretations