The green hummocks of Sutton Hoo were just a topographical oddity until the local landowner, Edith Pretty, paid for one of the mounds to be excavated, uncovering the boat burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and a horde of exquisite gold and silver grave goods. The king is believed to be Raedwald, who ruled from around 600 AD. His intricate jeweled helmet, shield and sword (now displayed in the British Museum) are among the greatest treasures ever discovered in the British Isles.
The massive effort that went into Raedwald's burial gives some idea of his importance, and the elaborate nature of the treasures forced a complete rethink of people's understanding of what was previously thought to be a primitive "dark age."
Many original finds and a full-scale reconstruction of the king's funeral ship and grave goods can be seen in the visitor center, showing the exquisite craftsmanship of the era. The remarkable story of the Sutton Hoo excavation is evocatively told using photos and archive news footage inside Tranmere House on the site.
To see where the king formerly resided, follow the footpath to the "royal cemetery," which contains 18 still-to-be-investigated mounds. Under normal circumstances, visitors can look down on the site from a tall viewing tower. Call ahead to check if tours exploring the tumuli have resumed.
Sutton Hoo is 11 miles northeast of Ipswich, off the B1083.
