What do we know?

The reconstruction of the helmet shows how striking the original must have been before it was destroyed and buried 1300 years ago.

The original helmet was probably made in England between AD 600-650. The style is very similar to helmets of the same date found at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and Valsgärde in Sweden.

Rows of animals, marching warriors, figures with spears and figures on horseback decorate the helmet. These powerful symbols demonstrated the importance of the wearer on the battlefield, and were probably thought to bestow special protection.

We do not know exactly who the helmet was made for. Helmets like this are most often found in the graves of princely leaders or warriors. But not this one.

The Staffordshire Hoard helmet was very thoroughly, even violently, destroyed before it was buried. Why, and what happened to its owner, remains an important and intriguing question.

Helmet Reconstruction