Sutton Hoo

[gunny]

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but why was no trace, except armor, found in the extremely effort ship burial of a body remains?

[kbs2244]

You have me a bit confused Gunny.
Which cultures ship “burials” are we talking about?

[gunny]

perhaps it was vague--5-6 century Viking style large longship hauled overland a consider distance and buried, as kings were in that era. No human remains were found, although his sword, armour, and personal items were. Were is the body?

[Minimalist]

Was there never a body or have the remains simply vanished? 1300 years is a long time for organic material to last in a wet climate.

[uniface]

He would have been cremated.

[Minimalist]

The other possibility is that Sutton Hoo is a cenotaph for a king who, perhaps, was killed at sea?

Quien sabe?

[gunny]

cenotaph--never considered that--but his helmet and armor?

[Digit]

Like gunny I'd never considered that Min, good point.
Gunny, I doubt that that which was buried was anything other than ceremonial gear, never actually intended for use in battle, may even of course have been made especially for burial.

Roy.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Afaik Norsemen cremated their dead. Which would make those 'graves' memorials (cenotaphs). Ritual burial places.

[gunny]

facinating era--would like to have been there---with my M16, of course.