The Anglo-Saxons gave us some of the world's most visually complex and intricately crafted treasures. With a love of puzzles and riddles, they developed a sophisticated artistic language using symbols from their pagan and Christian beliefs. They brought together materials and techniques from the Celtic world, northern Europe and the Middle East to produce striking pieces of art. Using up-to-date research as much as possible the course will look at major treasures such as the Sutton Hoo burial and the Lindisfarne Gospels, ending with the Alfred Jewel. The Anglo-Saxon way of life will be illustrated by recent excavations at Rendlesham royal palace and the Fen-edge site of Lakenheath; they include new research into glass and metal-working technologies and the details of everyday life.