The Sutton Hoo Helmet is the most famous object excavated from two early medieval burial sites in Suffolk in 1939. The ship burial in which the helmet was found is thought to have been that of a warrior chief. It is one of only four complete helmets of the period excavated in Britain to date.
When discovered, the helmet was in over 500 pieces and underwent two attempts at reconstruction before it was felt an accurate semblance to the original had been achieved.
The surface of the helmet is decorated with panels of animal interlace and heroic battle scenes and the gilded eyebrows, nose, and mouth together form the figure of a flying bird or dragon.
Since its discovery, the seventh-century helmet has been in the British Museum.
