Modern replica of a helmet from Sutton Hoo.
We are talking about the so-called "catastrophe 535-536", when as a result of the strongest eruption of one or more volcanoes, such as Krakatoa or El Chichon, so much volcanic ash was thrown into the Earth's atmosphere that it led to a sharp cooling in the entire Mediterranean basin … Procopius of Caesarea noted that in the tenth year of the reign of Emperor Justinian (536/537):
“… The greatest miracle happened: the whole year the sun emitted light like the moon, without rays, as if it was losing its strength, having ceased, as before, to shine purely and brightly. Since that time, as it began, neither war, nor a pestilence, nor any other disaster bringing death has ceased among people. " Indeed, tree rings in Scandinavia and Western Europe show a halt in growth in 536-542 with a recovery in the 550s, and data from the British Isles indicate plant deficiencies between 535 and 536. That is, severe winters dragged on year after year, and as a result, famine should inevitably begin, the result of which was the inevitable migration of peoples. That is, it was this catastrophe that led to a decline in the level of culture in Europe and the so-called "dark ages". But what did it lead to in Scandinavia?
Reconstruction of a burial at the Sutton Hoo Exhibition Center
And here it was this event that most likely influenced the militarization of the inhabitants of Scandinavia, in whose society priests occupied an important place before this catastrophe. However, “when the sun was eclipsed,” neither their appeals to the gods, nor their numerous sacrifices did not bring the expected effect, which is why the belief in their power fell. At the same time, the authority of the local priesthood was replaced by the authority of military leaders, since at this time only with a sword in hand a person could count on survival despite all the whims of nature. And, perhaps, it is precisely in the events of this time that one should look for the roots of that militant "imbalance" in the culture of the Scandinavian peoples, which later found a way out in the Viking campaigns …
As for the "Wendel time" that followed immediately after the "catastrophe of 535-536", it became, in fact, the time of complete preparation of the Scandinavians for the subsequent "Viking Age". Thus, the practice of burying military leaders in ships developed precisely in this era, and this, first of all, testifies to the gradual concentration of power and wealth in their hands during two centuries after the disaster. For example, only in the 1880s, archaeologists found 14 graves rich in finds in the Wendel district north of Stockholm, and then in the 20s of the XX century 15 more graves with ships in the Valsgard area.
Ornamental bird from burial at Sutton Hoo
Among the finds, there are simply amazing many luxury items, swords and helmets inlaid with the finest workmanship, made of both iron and bronze, chain mail and ornate horse harness. That is, the local kings had at their disposal both troops equipped with expensive weapons, and even cavalry, since archaeologists discovered the burials of equestrian warriors dating back to that time, in which they found stirrups and ornaments for saddles made of gilded bronze with inlays.
Excavations at Valsgard showed that the ships of the "Wendel era" were very similar to the ships of the later "Viking Age" and could well have been used for sailing in the Baltic Sea. Moreover, in the ship found in one of the Valsgard barrows (burial No. 7), as well as in the Viking ships from the burials in Gokstad and Userberg, there were many things, ranging from a huge cast-iron boiler for cooking food, skewers, and pans, and down to pillows, bedding, weapons and drinking horns. They also found the skeletons of four horses in rich harness, a young bull and a large wild boar, obviously slaughtered for meat.
Wendel helmet mask "Wendel I" (Swedish State Historical Museum, Stockholm)
But here's what immediately catches the eye when comparing artifacts from the burials of the "Wendel era" and the "Viking era" that replaced it. Wendel helmets and swords … more luxurious and more complex in design. And this says just about the reasons that prompted many Scandinavians to go on predatory trips across the seas. Viking swords and helmets are both simpler and more functional, which first of all testifies to their mass character! That is, a natural disaster, which became a threat to the entire society of that time, caused the concentration of power in the hands of the then Scandinavian kings, since in the face of any external threat, the need for sole power usually increases. Well, and having received power, they first of all engaged in the acquisition of wealth. The difference in income, and, therefore, in the wealth of weapons, armor, clothing and jewelry, has increased markedly. Social stratification became too noticeable, as did the difference in the burials of ordinary members of the community and the nobility. Well, it was simply impossible for their ordinary subjects to achieve the same, since there were no legal ways for this. There was only one way left - to go across the sea and there to gain wealth and fame with a sword in hand. Therefore, those dissatisfied with their position began to stray into squads over time and became Vikings, that is, those who participate in pirate raids! This is confirmed by the Scandinavian written sources, in which the word viking means "piracy or pirate raid", and vikingr is a person participating in such a raid!
Now let's take a look at the same helmets from the Wendel burials and note their characteristic appearance, their obvious splendor and richness of decoration. Their design goes back to the late East Roman samples, but the decor is associated with the subjects of the Scandinavian mythology. At the same time, the deities or heroes depicted on the engraved gilded bronze plates look exactly the same as (judging by the inventory found in the burials) the owners of these helmets themselves - that is, the Wendel nobility. Moreover, all this is too solemn and clearly ceremonial armament, and the horse harness was hardly used for battle. Most likely, they were intended to participate in regular gatherings of the people's militia and public gatherings - tings, which took place simultaneously with religious festivals. It was necessary to appear there in all its splendor, since the tinges, as a rule, had not only legislative functions, but also had the right to elect leaders or kings, which is why the importance of the latter was emphasized in every way!
A helmet from Sutton Hoo on display at the British Museum.
However, the most, one might say, typical "Wendel helmet" was found not in Scandinavia, but in England, in the town of Sutton Hoo - a mound necropolis east of Woodbridge in the English county of Suffolk. There in 1938 - 1939. perhaps the most significant archaeological finds in English history have been made, as an intact funeral ship that belonged to an Anglo-Saxon king sometime in the 6th and 7th centuries was found there.
And the funny thing is that Britain found this treasure (as, indeed, much more!) Thanks to a woman named Edith Mary Pritty, it just so happened that literally 500 yards from her house there were 18 mounds at once. She was a wealthy and enthusiastic woman, in her youth she participated in archaeological excavations, was fond of spiritualism, and it is not surprising that it occurred to her to start excavating these mounds. She turned to the staff of the local Ipswich Museum, but could not decide where to start - on a large mound, which was clearly already dug by robbers, or on three small ones - untouched.
Excavations in 1939.
To begin with, they decided to excavate a small hill, but his burial was plundered a long time ago. But when in May 1939 she undertook to dig a large hill, the results of the excavation surpassed everything, even the most daring expectations. Inside the hill was a ship, although almost completely rotted. Further it turned out that the closest analogue of such a burial is the burial grounds of Wendel and Old Uppsala in Sweden, but all this was located in England. According to English law, whose land is that and the finds, but Mary turned out to be so magnanimous that she announced that she would bequeath them as her posthumous gift to the British Museum. As a token of gratitude, Prime Minister Winston Churchill offered Pritty the Dame Commander Cross of the Order of the British Empire, but she turned it down.
In the British Museum, the finds were rated "one of the most important archaeological discoveries of all time," especially since many of them for the most part had no (and do not have!) Analogues in the British Isles. Among the most valuable items are the following:
a large round shield and a sword with a golden hilt, decorated with grenades;
an animal-style gold buckle and a deer-shaped scepter;
a twisted six-stringed lyre wrapped in a beaver hide;
purse with Merovingian gold coins;
silverware of Byzantine and Egyptian origin.
Reconstruction of the shield from Sutton Hoo. Front view. (British museum)
Back view. (British museum)
The absence of a skeleton led experts to believe that the burial could have been a cenotaph, that is, a false burial. Although it is possible that he simply … dissolved in the Suffolk soil, which is highly acidic. This, by the way, is indicated by the latest analysis of trace elements at the place of discovery. In addition, a similar phenomenon was observed in Wendel burials in Sweden. It is suggested that the deceased may have been said goodbye for a long time and his body was in the air for a long time. After all, the bones of newly killed animals were well preserved, and the buried bodies of people decayed completely. By the way, who was buried in Sutton Hoo is not fully established. Although there is an assumption that the grave belongs to the East English king Redwald (about 599 - 624).
Sutton Hoo burial sword. (British museum)
After the death of the treasure hunter in 1942, the treasures of the large mound, in accordance with her will, were transferred to the collection of the British Museum, and objects of lesser value found in the mounds and their surroundings during subsequent excavations were exhibited in the museum of the city of Ipswich.
Finally, in 2002, a national tourism center was opened in Sutton Hoo. At the opening ceremony, Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney read an excerpt from his translation of Beowulf. The choice of this Anglo-Saxon poem was not accidental, just as it is no coincidence that the helmet from Sutton Hoo is often used as an illustration of editions of this particular poem. After all, the burial ground found near Woodbridge belongs to the previously unknown world of the Angles and Saxons of the 6th-7th centuries, and it just got its reflection in this epic Anglo-Saxon work.
Exhibition Hall of the National Visitor Center at Sactton Hoo.
The connection of "Beowulf" with the legends about the exploits of the ruler from the land of the Göthes, which lies on the territory of modern Sweden, is noted. In addition, the nearest archaeological finds, similar to those from Sutton Hoo, are located there. And this may indicate that the ruling dynasty of East Anglia came from Scandinavia.
The Sutton Hoo Helmet has become one of the most iconic archaeological finds in Britain and is one of the most interesting and valuable artifacts from the Anglo-Saxon era. His protective face mask, decorative eyebrows, nosepiece and mustache, which form the figure of a soaring dragon, have become a kind of symbol of the dark ages, and to some extent a symbol of archeology itself. After all, if the mask of Tutankhamun was found, then this helmet was really unearthed! True, the archaeologists were not too lucky. The helmet was removed from the ground in the form of many small parts, so then it took three years to work on its reconstruction, and for the first time it was exhibited for viewing in 1945. And then they reconstructed again, in 1970-1971, so this helmet did not acquire its present appearance at once!
Helmet from Sutton Hoo. In this photo, you can clearly see how, in general, a little of it is left. (British museum)
The reconstruction work was very laborious and difficult, since only the mask, the ridge and both eyebrows above the eye holes were preserved in a satisfactory condition. Nevertheless, the helmet was restored almost completely. In particular, the shape of the dome of the helmet was determined by its curved crest.
Examination of the helmet fragments showed that most likely its dome was one-piece forged. But a pair of cheek pads and a one-piece forged head were attached to it on hinges. The eye holes are not as deep as most wendel helmets. An iron mask was riveted to it in front, representing the face of a mustachioed man. It connected with the dome of the helmet in three places - in the very center and at the edges. The width of the mask is 12 cm. The nose and mustache are false, bronze. The nose is made protruding and two breathing holes are made in it from below. The entire mask is covered with plates made of tinned bronze, which formed a beard at the bottom of the mask. The mask, including the eye cutouts, is framed by a U-shaped tube that has been riveted over its bronze decorative plates.
The brows have a triangular cross-section and are inlaid with silver wire, and in the lower part, and also using the inlay technique, they were decorated with a line of rectangular garnets. At the ends of the brows - the heads of animals - it is believed that these are wild boars, made of gilded bronze.
The most interesting thing is that the mask of the helmet and its brows are made so that together they form the figure of a flying dragon. The nose of the mask serves as its torso, the wings are the brows, and the upper lip serves as the tail. The dragon's head is made of gilded bronze.
But the reconstruction of the helmet, on display today in the British Museum, is impressive. Interestingly, it has no mouth opening. Therefore, the voice behind the mask must have sounded very dull and … scary!
The crest on the helmet was made of a semicircular iron tube about 28.5 cm long with a wall thickness of 3 mm. Unlike helmets found in Scandinavia, it has no ridge. The heads of gilded bronze dragons, whose eyes are made of garnets, adorn both ends of the crest. The heads of these dragons are very similar to the masked dragon, but slightly longer. The crest is covered with an ornament of scales and chevrons (“check marks), which is also inlaid with silver wire.
The entire helmet, including its protective parts, was partially covered with stamped decorative plates of tin-plated bronze of five different types. The first - narrow (1, 3 cm wide and up to 5 cm long), with woven ornament - decorate the mask, which, unlike the dome, was completely covered with such decorative plates. Another type of plates also with a wicker ornament has dimensions of 5 - 3, 3 cm. Both the plates themselves and the way they are fixed represent a complete analogy to the Wendel helmets. True, it was not possible to find out where exactly which plates were supposed to be located.
The plates adorning the helmet are almost identical in design to those that adorn the Wendel helmets. And here's the question: they were made using the same stamps in different places, or they were ordered by the same master. Or were they traded in these stamps, as we trade in presses and lathes today?
It is striking that outwardly the helmet from Sutton Hoo is very similar to many helmets from Valsgard and Wendel in Sweden. It is decorated in a typical Wendelian style with the same applied decorative plates made of bronze, and in it there are such similar details as a ridge curved in the shape of a dome and decorated with animal heads; false eyebrows, also ending in animal heads. However, it also has some differences. The most important thing is that the helmet is one-piece forged, although not all experts agree with this. The mask and the same one-piece forged headband had no analogues in Scandinavia at that time, although, judging by the helmet from Torsbjørg, such masks were used there earlier. All these details undoubtedly represent the legacy of the traditions of the military culture of imperial Rome, supplemented by local, already purely "barbaric" motives.
As for the cost, then … we can hardly talk about it, because what state would dare to sell such a historically significant artifact ?!
