The ghosts of Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo site of one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the UK, the 7th century Anglo - Saxon ship burial of (possibly) Raedwald ruler of the East Angles might never have been excavated if it wasn't for ghosts.

Despite being the site of a number of burial mounds it had been assumed that, due to centuries of looting, there was nothing left to excavate at Sutton Hoo until that is Dorothy Cox a friend of Tranmer House's owner Edith Pretty saw the ghosts of Anglo Saxon soldiers processing around one of the burial mounds. Everytime Dorothy Cox visited her friend she saw the ghostly soldiers and encouraged Edith to have the mound excavated.

In 1938 Edith Pretty arranged for farmer, archaeologist, Basil Brown to excavate the area at her own expense. In the Spring of 1939 Basil Brown discovered the perfectly preserved form of a ship some 27 metres long, the rest as they say is history.

But would the barrows ever have been excavated if Dorothy Cox hadn't seen those ghosts and do the ghosts of Sutton Hoo still walk?

Visitor information:

Sutton Hoo is operated by the National Trust please check website for opening times.

Address:

Tranmer House
Sutton Hoo
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 3DJ

Telephone: 01394 389700

Email: suttonhoo@nationaltrust.org.uk

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo/

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