At Sutton Hoo, England, there is a large mound of earth covering the burial of an important Anglo-Saxon chief, probably King Raedwald who ruled East Anglia in the seventh century. He was buried inside a ship, along with lots of treasures, which the Anglo-Saxons believed he would need in the afterlife. The ship is huge – around 30 metres from bow to stern and nearly 5 metres at its widest.

Archaeologists think that the ship was dragged to the top of a cliff from the river below. It was then placed in a trench that had been specially dug for it. A hut was built in the middle of the ship and the coffin and treasures (called grave goods) placed inside it. The ship was then completely covered with a mound of earth.