Anglo Saxon Culture Analysis

History is filled with lost cultures. Victims of their own oral historical traditions, and without literature of their own these cultures suffer the mercy of neighbors and in many cases enemies. Obscured by half-truths and hateful rhetoric written by enemies, much of their heritage is lost in time. Historians and archeologists working with incomplete manuscripts, biased histories, and ancient graves are challenged to discover the true nature of these lost cultures. The subject of this effort is to explore the work of the dedicated historians who attempt to piece together the Anglo-Saxon culture found on the English isle. According to Bede, a Christian monk and historian, the Anglo-Saxons were pagan invaders sent as punishment for the transgressions …show more content…
The greatest discovery of Anglo-Saxon artifice was found in the beginning of the 20th century by a widowed land owner, Mrs. Pretty, and her gardener, Mr. Brown. The Mound of Sutton Hoo survived 1300 years hidden beneath a mound of earth atop a hill overlooking a river. Grave-robbers had attempted to excavate the site; however, fortune favored the curiosity of Mrs. Pretty and their attempt failed to reach the treasure hidden below the mound. (Grohskopf 5-16) The identity of the person honored by the ship burial at Sutton Hoo remains a mystery. The date of the monument has been narrowed; yet, no record of the honored or the year of the site has been found. The significance of the site is the abundance of artifacts contained within and their condition. The quality and craftsmanship of the items held in the ship burial at Sutton Hoo revealed a level of artistic skill unexpected to have existed in the so called Dark Ages. (Grohskopf 34-35) The wealth discovered is liken to the wealth of the funerals written about in the epic Beowulf. (Grohskopf 35) Despite the considerable centuries buried, the hinges and moving parts, such as clasp and slide, operated as intended when found. Handmade and decorated with more than 4,000 cut garnets. Twenty-six pieces of jewelry were uncovered set with garnets. The brittleness of the stones would have made working with them a difficult and time consuming process, making each piece unique and valuable. The craftsmanship of the Sutton Hoo sight was not limited to jewelry. (Grohskopf 75-76) The martial regalia of a warrior king was also removed from the mound. A remarkably decorated helm and shield fittings present a skilled artisan and a telling look into the values of the man who would have carried them. The shield was adored with gilt-bronze bird heads and a bronzed-winged