11-26-2007, 02:37 PM
The style of decoration on the Sutton Hoo helmet and shield have close parallels in Sweden, but the construction of the helmet bowl is very much unlike the Vendel examples. Also the protection for the sides of the face and rear of the neck are unlike the Swedish helmets which have mail or metal-strips. Presumably the helmet shows the survival of a local Romano-British construction tradition.
Even an element in the Swedish decoration incorporates a spear bearing horseman riding down a footslogger, which looks like the result of ultimate Roman inspiration to me.
The two jewelled shoulder clasps have been usually interpreted as being from a sort of muscle-cuirass (presumably leather), a very Roman form of martial-status display.
The cauldrons are of local origin with late La Tene Celtic ornament, the magnificent and elaborate, iron, cauldron-suspension chain is also of local origins, having a traceable ancestry back to pre-Roman Belgic times.
All in all the contents of the burial show the articulation of high status by the use of symbolism drawn from local Celtic, Roman, Early Byzantine and pagan Germanic origins.
Even an element in the Swedish decoration incorporates a spear bearing horseman riding down a footslogger, which looks like the result of ultimate Roman inspiration to me.
The two jewelled shoulder clasps have been usually interpreted as being from a sort of muscle-cuirass (presumably leather), a very Roman form of martial-status display.
The cauldrons are of local origin with late La Tene Celtic ornament, the magnificent and elaborate, iron, cauldron-suspension chain is also of local origins, having a traceable ancestry back to pre-Roman Belgic times.
All in all the contents of the burial show the articulation of high status by the use of symbolism drawn from local Celtic, Roman, Early Byzantine and pagan Germanic origins.
Martin
Fac me cocleario vomere!
Fac me cocleario vomere!
