The poem Beowulf offers a unique window into life during the late Roman Iron Age, but how does the archaeology of the period support the poem’s portrayal?

This module will analyze notable scenes and locations from Beowulf and compare the poem with archaeological evidence. For example, how do the excavations at Sutton Hoo and Oseberg burial mound provide greater context for Scyld’s ship burial? How can the archaeological record at Lejre in Denmark give us a clearer glimpse of life at Heorot? And how do Neolithic and Bronze Age burial mounds align with the dragon’s mound in the poem’s dramatic conclusion?

Join us as we explore how archaeology and philology together can deepen our understanding of the past.