In May 2025, archaeologists reinterpreted the Bromeswell Bucket, a 6th-century Byzantine copper alloy vessel found at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England, as a cremation urn. This discovery provides new insights into Anglo-Saxon burial practices and cultural exchange during that period.
Excavations involving teams like Time Team, FAS Heritage, and the National Trust, employed advanced CT and X-ray analyses at the University of Bradford. These analyses revealed cremated human remains, including skull and ankle fragments, along with animal bones, possibly from a horse, inside the bucket.
Experts believe the bucket originated from Antioch in modern-day Turkey and was already about 100 years old when it arrived at Sutton Hoo. The Bromeswell Bucket exemplifies the fusion of Mediterranean luxury with Germanic cremation rituals. Further studies, including radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis, are underway to learn more about the individual buried within the vessel, enhancing our understanding of this pivotal period in history.