Reconstruction of legendary Sutton Hoo ship takes shape
The seventh-century Anglo-Saxon burial ship is due to take to the water in May 2027, following a lengthy reconstruction process working from decayed remains
The bones of a 1,300-year-old ship, once submerged in Suffolk's clay, are being painstakingly reconstructed near the River Deben. The giant oak timbers, awaiting their transformation into planks, lie on the quay outside the Longshed where the ship's reconstruction is taking place. Visitors are free to observe the 90ft hull being shaped with axes and knives, and the unmistakable odor of pitch, beeswax, linseed oil, and green oak permeates the air.
Scheduled to launch in May 2027, the ship is expected to sail on the River Deben, powered by 40 volunteers rowing its ancient design. The project has cost approximately £250,000 annually to date. Originally discovered in 1938, the ship was buried in a trench in the earth and found by Edith Pretty, whose landowner employed archaeologist Basil Brown.
The ship's discovery was famously depicted in the film The Dig, with the discovery of a cremation and ship rivets. Its excavation led to the discovery of numerous Anglo-Saxon treasures, including a magnificent helmet and gold artifacts, now on display at the British Museum. The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, formed in 2016, aims to build a faithful replica using traditional methods.
The reconstruction is based on Brown's meticulous drawings, museum records, and photographs, though questions remain about the ship's original appearance and functionality, such as its steering method, number of oars, and whether it had sails. The ship's reconstruction will hopefully answer many of the mysteries surrounding the Anglo-Saxon vessel and its significance as a sea-faring power.
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