The Sutton Hoo Whetstone

Abstract

THE Sutton Hoo ship burial, uncovered in Suffolk in 1939, has provided archaeologists with number of puzzling objects which seem to be representative of pagan religious traditions. One of these objects is an iron standard surmounted by the figure of stag, which has been convincingly associated with the cult of Odin (Woden).' A more obscure object, which Sir Thomas Kendrick has called a unique, savage thing,2 is an elongated whetstone, at each end of which has been carved group of four faces, with each face looking to point of the compass. Each set of faces is crowned by red-painted knob, and these were originally topped by saucer-like objects, of which one survives. Three of the faces in one group are bearded, while the fourth, though neither bearded nor mustachioed, may still be masculine. The group of faces at the other end appear to be feminine. Each of the faces is surrounded by ring with medallion attached, so-called torque, which is generally considered to be symbol of divinity.3 Consequently, the Sutton Hoo whetstone has also been linked to the cult of Odin. It is possible to make more accurate determination of the significance of the stone, and to identify the deity represented on it, by employing evidence provided by the ground-plans of an important group of North-European sanctuaries. It is also possible to associate the stone with number of other material remains, despite the claim that no object has yet been found to which the stone is comparable. The whetstone may be compared to bronze pin found at Hagested near Holbaek in Jutland.4 Just below the head of the Hagested pin are four faces, which look to the points of the compass. The head of the pin is surmounted by figure of an animal, but the state of preservation of the pin makes its identification uncertain. A stone pillar found in 1848 in the River Zbruez in Galicia is similar monument. This so-called Husjatyn pillar is dated to the ninth or tenth centuries, and has four faces oriented to four quarters. Details of the execution of the body associated with each face might indicate that two female and two male deities were being memorialized, but the pillar is surmounted by single high hat, and