This short book in the 'British Museum Objects in Focus' series looks at one of the most striking and emblematic finds from Anglo-Saxon England. It presents the story of the excavations at Sutton Hoo and the discovery, in 1939, of the ship burial and the helmet. The process of restoring the helmet is described and it is put in context with other similar finds.

Belt buckles, which were born by both men and women in Snglo-Saxon England, not only had an obvious practical function, they also had a potent social significance for their wearers. Their archaeological value is that during a period in which coins were scarce they can be used as dating evidence. This substantial volume explores the social aspects of dress accessories whilst presenting a typology and chronology of finds. Much of the study comprises an illustrated catalogue of over 1,200 examples. Tables and maps also explore the distribution of buckle types and their association with other...