Episode 45 - Unearthing the Sutton Hoo Helmet and Ancient Shaman Burials

Get ready to dig deep into one of the greatest archaeological finds in British history! This episode explores the legendary Sutton Hoo Helmet, from its discovery in a 1939 ship burial to its painstaking restoration and fascinating design. Learn about how this intricate piece of Anglo-Saxon artistry was pieced together from fragments, what its stunning carvings and face mask reveal, and the theories about who might have worn it—perhaps even King Rædwald of East Anglia. 

But it gets even juicier. Could this ornate helmet have belonged to a mercenary who once fought for the Byzantine Empire? We break down the evidence, the arguments, and the cultural connections that transport us to a surprisingly globalized seventh-century England. Plus, want to see it up close? We’ll tell you where to find it today and why Sutton Hoo is still delivering new discoveries.

In the second segment, join us as we travel back 9,000 years to explore an incredible archaeological discovery in Israel—the burial of a six-fingered shaman woman unearthed at Motza near Jerusalem. This episode dives into the fascinating world of Neolithic religious beliefs, the significance of physical abnormalities in ancient societies, and how this discovery compares with similar burials in Europe. Discover how spirituality, community, and the supernatural intertwine through these powerful archaeological finds.

 From Israel's Neolithic past to Germany's Mesolithic graves and the Celtic tombs of the Vix Princess, we reveal the stories of unique women who shaped ancient societies as spiritual leaders. Could physical differences have been seen as symbols of power? Tune in to uncover the "archaeology of ableism" and its implications on understanding humanity's earliest beliefs.

Timestamps 

0:13: Introduction to the Sutton Hoo ship burial

3:07: Detailed description of the Helmet

5:53: Who was the Helmet for?

7:49: New theory – A mercenary treasure?

9:20: The Helmet and Sutton Hoo today

10:21: Introduction to Archaeology News

11:28: Discovery of ancient site at Motza

16:13: Grave of the Shaman

17:37: Global Connections in Shamanic Burials  

20:46: Archaeology of Ableism

Links & Resources 

·        Sutton Hoo and Syria: The Anglo-Saxons Who Served in the Byzantine Army?: https://doi.org/10.1093/ehr/ceae213

·        The Emergence of Worship and Religion in the Neolithic Period: Direct and Indirect Evidence from Moẓa (Motza): 

Related Episodes 

• Staffordshire Hoard: The Greatest Discovery of Medieval Gold in History: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_BnX6eaiUq4
• What Is The Three-Age System Theory: Stone Age, Bronze Age, And Iron Age Explained - Archaeology: https://publications.iaa.org.il/atiqot/vol116/iss1/2/

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