The Experimental Sutton Hoo Ship Martin Carver

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In 1939, an astonishing discovery was made at Sutton Hoo - the remains of a 27m long ship with a burial chamber full of dazzling riches. Dating back to the early 7th century, all the treasures have been restored and exhibited by the British Museum - except one, the ship itself. Although the ship’s timbers had rotted away, they left tell-tale traces in the sand. Furthermore, preserved largely in situ, were the serried rows of now corroded nails that had held the ship together. There was enough evidence therefore to reconstruct the ship at its original size.

The ship is being built in Suffolk at the Longshed on the Woodbridge waterfront, across the river from the Sutton Hoo site. The Project is being carried out by the Trustees and crew of the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, a registered company powered by more than 170 volunteers.

Join Martin Carver, Director of Research at Sutton Hoo and a co-founder and Trustee of the Ship’s Company, as he looks at the design, build and future adventures of the experimental Sutton Hoo ship. He’ll paint a picture of the politics that led the early kings of East Anglia to commission this leviathan and explain the upsurge of artisan skills, especially in carpentry, that made the original 7th-century construction possible.  He’ll explain how a team of volunteers, led by professional shipwrights, have realised the mighty ship in the present day. He will also look forward to the programme of trials beginning in 2027, with investigations into the way the ship performed in rivers and coastal waters 200 years before the Vikings. Was it a ceremonial craft or an ocean-going warship or a cargo vessel? What did it feel like, to be one of a crew of 40, rowing a Saxon ship? How did they navigate? Could they have sailed? These are some of the questions for the trials to answer.

You may also enjoy Puzzles in the Pub on Tuesday 9 June. 

Image credit: Andy Mills, The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Charity

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