Archaeologists have solved a decades-old mystery at Sutton Hoo with the revelation that a rare 6th-century Byzantine bucket—long known only from scattered fragments—was in fact used as a cremation burial vessel. The discovery marks the first known instance of such an object being used in this way and adds a new chapter to the already extraordinary story of Sutton Hoo, one of Britain’s most iconic early medieval sites.
The breakthrough came during a month-long excavation in 2024, led by Time Team in collaboration with FAS Heritage and the National Trust. The excavation took place at Bromeswell, on the wider Sutton Hoo estate. In the final week of the dig, archaeologists uncovered missing fragments of the so-called Bromeswell bucket, first partially discovered in 1986 and again in 2012. These latest pieces included the bucket’s entire base, which had never previously been recovered.
The bucket base, with bone fragments and the double-sided comb to the left. – FAS Heritage / NT James Dobson
To protect the integrity of the find, the bucket and surrounding soil were lifted in a single block and sent for further investigation under laboratory conditions. The post-excavation work involved detailed CT scanning and X-ray imaging at the University of Bradford. These scans provided the first look inside the bucket and revealed that it had been used for burial purposes, containing cremated remains and grave goods.
The block was then transported to York Archaeological Trust for a delicate micro-excavation. There, a team including an osteoarchaeologist, an environmental archaeologist, and an archaeological conservator carefully removed the surrounding soil and documented the contents of the vessel. The cremated remains were identified as those of a human, with parts of a talus (ankle bone) and fragments of the skull vault—the upper part of the skull that protects the brain—recovered from within.
Animal bones were also discovered, indicating that the individual may have been cremated alongside a large animal. While horses are often found in early Anglo-Saxon cremation burials as status symbols, researchers have not yet confirmed the species. The position of the tightly packed bones suggests that they may have originally been placed in a bag or container before being set inside the bucket. Some bone fragments were found just outside the bucket, and copper-alloy staining on those pieces suggests that they, too, were part of the original burial context.
The early medieval comb – FAS Heritage / NT James Dobson
Among the most remarkable finds was a double-sided comb, likely made from antler, that was first detected during the scan at Bradford. Although the cremated remains could not be sexed due to their condition, archaeologists are hopeful that ancient DNA might still be extracted from the comb, potentially offering new insights into the identity of the buried individual.
The bucket’s origin also adds to its significance. It is thought to have been made in Antioch—modern-day Turkey—during the 6th century, when the region formed part of the Byzantine Empire. By the time it arrived in England, it was already around a century old. Scholars suggest it could have been a diplomatic gift or a war spoil brought home by a Saxon mercenary. The vessel is decorated with a detailed hunting scene that includes men with swords and shields, as well as lions, dogs, and other animals. The newly recovered fragments include shield bases, paws, and even the missing face of one of the men in the scene.
“We knew that this bucket would have been a rare and prized possession back in Anglo-Saxon times, but it’s always been a mystery why it was buried,” notes Angus Wainwright, archaeologist for the National Trust. “Now we know it was used to contain the remains of an important person in the Sutton Hoo community. I’m hopeful that further analysis will uncover more information about this very special burial.”
The main fragment of the bucket, including the decorated panel, is currently on long-term loan from the Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust and can be seen on display at Sutton Hoo. This latest find adds new depth to its story and provides an unexpected link between the Mediterranean world and early medieval England.
Helen Geake, Time Team’s Anglo-Saxon specialist, emphasised the cultural significance of this unique discovery:
We’ve finally solved the puzzle of the Bromeswell bucket – now we know that it is the first of these rare objects ever to have been used in a cremation burial. It’s a remarkable mixture – a vessel from the southern, classical world containing the remains of a very northern, very Germanic cremation. It epitomises the strangeness of Sutton Hoo – it has ship burials, horse burials, mound burials and now bath-bucket burials. Who knows what else?
In addition to the human and animal remains, archaeologists also recovered plant material from within the bucket, which will be analysed to determine environmental conditions and seasonal timing of the burial. This could help researchers understand not only the burial itself but also the wider landscape and climate during the early Anglo-Saxon period.
Archaeologists have solved a decades-old mystery at Sutton Hoo with the revelation that a rare 6th-century Byzantine bucket—long known only from scattered fragments—was in fact used as a cremation burial vessel. The discovery marks the first known instance of such an object being used in this way and adds a new chapter to the already extraordinary story of Sutton Hoo, one of Britain’s most iconic early medieval sites.
The breakthrough came during a month-long excavation in 2024, led by Time Team in collaboration with FAS Heritage and the National Trust. The excavation took place at Bromeswell, on the wider Sutton Hoo estate. In the final week of the dig, archaeologists uncovered missing fragments of the so-called Bromeswell bucket, first partially discovered in 1986 and again in 2012. These latest pieces included the bucket’s entire base, which had never previously been recovered.
To protect the integrity of the find, the bucket and surrounding soil were lifted in a single block and sent for further investigation under laboratory conditions. The post-excavation work involved detailed CT scanning and X-ray imaging at the University of Bradford. These scans provided the first look inside the bucket and revealed that it had been used for burial purposes, containing cremated remains and grave goods.
The block was then transported to York Archaeological Trust for a delicate micro-excavation. There, a team including an osteoarchaeologist, an environmental archaeologist, and an archaeological conservator carefully removed the surrounding soil and documented the contents of the vessel. The cremated remains were identified as those of a human, with parts of a talus (ankle bone) and fragments of the skull vault—the upper part of the skull that protects the brain—recovered from within.
Animal bones were also discovered, indicating that the individual may have been cremated alongside a large animal. While horses are often found in early Anglo-Saxon cremation burials as status symbols, researchers have not yet confirmed the species. The position of the tightly packed bones suggests that they may have originally been placed in a bag or container before being set inside the bucket. Some bone fragments were found just outside the bucket, and copper-alloy staining on those pieces suggests that they, too, were part of the original burial context.
Among the most remarkable finds was a double-sided comb, likely made from antler, that was first detected during the scan at Bradford. Although the cremated remains could not be sexed due to their condition, archaeologists are hopeful that ancient DNA might still be extracted from the comb, potentially offering new insights into the identity of the buried individual.
The bucket’s origin also adds to its significance. It is thought to have been made in Antioch—modern-day Turkey—during the 6th century, when the region formed part of the Byzantine Empire. By the time it arrived in England, it was already around a century old. Scholars suggest it could have been a diplomatic gift or a war spoil brought home by a Saxon mercenary. The vessel is decorated with a detailed hunting scene that includes men with swords and shields, as well as lions, dogs, and other animals. The newly recovered fragments include shield bases, paws, and even the missing face of one of the men in the scene.
“We knew that this bucket would have been a rare and prized possession back in Anglo-Saxon times, but it’s always been a mystery why it was buried,” notes Angus Wainwright, archaeologist for the National Trust. “Now we know it was used to contain the remains of an important person in the Sutton Hoo community. I’m hopeful that further analysis will uncover more information about this very special burial.”
The main fragment of the bucket, including the decorated panel, is currently on long-term loan from the Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust and can be seen on display at Sutton Hoo. This latest find adds new depth to its story and provides an unexpected link between the Mediterranean world and early medieval England.
Helen Geake, Time Team’s Anglo-Saxon specialist, emphasised the cultural significance of this unique discovery:
We’ve finally solved the puzzle of the Bromeswell bucket – now we know that it is the first of these rare objects ever to have been used in a cremation burial. It’s a remarkable mixture – a vessel from the southern, classical world containing the remains of a very northern, very Germanic cremation. It epitomises the strangeness of Sutton Hoo – it has ship burials, horse burials, mound burials and now bath-bucket burials. Who knows what else?
In addition to the human and animal remains, archaeologists also recovered plant material from within the bucket, which will be analysed to determine environmental conditions and seasonal timing of the burial. This could help researchers understand not only the burial itself but also the wider landscape and climate during the early Anglo-Saxon period.
Top Image: Some of the pieces of the Bromeswell Bucket on display. Credit: David Brunetti, National Trust
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