A find made by a metal detectorist in Denmark has sparked queries regarding the roots of the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, which was long believed to be connected to Sweden.
The treasure hunter discovered a tiny metallic seal on an island located in southern Denmark, featuring designs akin to those seen on the renowned helmet.
Peter Pentz, a curator from the National Museum of Denmark, suggests that this finding increases the likelihood that the Sutton Hoo helmet might actually be of Danish origin.
The archaeologist informed the DIWIDA that if the helmet is confirmed to be from Denmark, it might alter our comprehension of the power dynamics in Northern Europe during the 7th century.
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.
Initially unearthed in 1939, over 260 artifacts were discovered at the Suffolk property, among them being an iron and copper-reinforced helmet, which is regarded 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 residing in the British Museum, features an array of designs, such as two small panels showing riders on horses.
It is considered to be inspired by earlier Roman styles, and historians once hypothesized that it could have originated in Uppland, east-central Sweden, where comparable designs featuring mounted warriors were found on helmets. Experts speculate that it might have served as either an inherited object or a diplomatic present.
However, experts from the National Museum of Denmark currently assert that the newly discovered metal stamp shares a "remarkable resemblance" with the design elements found on the helmet.
A verdant copper-alloy seal discovered two years back was located by the 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 "photo plaque," but upon further inspection, he discovered it was something "remarkable" and shared this with the DIWIDA.
The distinctive element is the motif," he states. "It's an incredibly potent visual.
The stylistic resemblances are remarkably strong," states Mr. Pentz, the curator. "We have never witnessed such a close connection before.
Comparable themes have also been discovered in Germany; however, this is the first one uncovered in Denmark.
Mr. Hjort's discovery was turned over to a nearby museum, though it has only been examined recently.
The object has dimensions of only 5cm by 4cm (2in by 1.6in) and is thought to be either a stamp or “die,” commonly referred to as a “patrice.”
Although the design does not perfectly match the Sutton Hoo helmet, upon thorough examination of the two damaged helmet panels, Mr. Pentz notes that they share “numerous similarities.”
"He points out that when we look closely at the horse, everything matches—the nose piece, the mane, the ear, and the tail—indicating it’s indeed the same horse," he explains.
He believes that the Sutton Hoo and Danish themes show more similarities with each other compared to those of Sweden, implying 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.
According to Mr. Pentz, this die likely originates from the same workshop or a similar setting as the Sutton Hoo helmet. The production was presumably carried out locally, or through trade exchanges.
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 managed by the National Trust.
The term Anglo-Saxon denotes peoples originating from Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark who arrived in England. Despite being nearly eight-and-a-half decades since then, recent excavations continue at these sites with new hypotheses arising regarding the interments.
The Sutton Hoo helmet was carefully reconstructed over several years after being initially discovered in fragments numbering in the hundreds. It is currently exhibited at the British Museum. Ms. Howarth refers to the helmet 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 a completed story," Ms Howarth notes additionally.
She notes that when observing it, it clearly belongs to a design lineage prevalent during this era,” indicating that several pieces within the Sutton Hoo burial site have notable connections to Swedish influences. Additionally, she mentions a German pattern exhibiting 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 define the relationship and power dynamics between Denmark, Sweden, and the Sutton Hoo community during this period would be too speculative."
Mr. Pentz mentions that there are "certain hurdles" regarding his hypothesis. The fragments of the Sutton Hoo helmet are extremely broken down into numerous pieces, and the Danish mark is quite eroded.
The following step involves his hope for comprehensive 3D scans of the designs.
The discovery was made in an area that hasn’t undergone much digging before, and it’s plausible that the seal might have been exchanged or carried over from another location.
It will be exhibited at the nation's National Museum in Copenhagen in April.