Archaeologica.org

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

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

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?

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.

He would have been cremated.

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

Quien sabe?

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

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.

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

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