Pupils become archaeologists to explore the extraordinary find at Sutton Hoo in 1939.
1: The Ship
Synopsis
The first episode of a two-part drama in which children become archaeologists to explore what we can find out about the Anglo-Saxons from the archaeological discovery at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. We meet Becky, a young archaeologist, who begins the story of the famous discovery…
In 1938 Mrs Edith Pretty approaches a local archaeologist, Basil Brown, to begin excavations of some ancient-looking mounds - or 'barrows' - on land she owns. At his insistence the largest of the mounds is left untouched. However, the smaller mounds yield very few artefacts.
In May the following year Brown returns and this time he begins excavations on the largest mound. Within four days he and his assistants have uncovered the impression of the Sutton Hoo ship. They are on the verge of a great discovery.
Resources
Teacher's Notes. document
Information and guidance on using this unit with your group (pdf)
Download audio
Download this episode as an mp3 file
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