Sutton Hoo is an archaeological site containing Anglo-Saxon burial mounds from the 6th and 7th centuries. In 1939, the remains of an approximately 90-ft (27-m) burial ship were found there, with gold and silver treasures fit for a king—but no body. The artifacts displayed both pagan and Christian features and immediately drew comparisons with Swedish finds and the world described in the heroic poem Beowulf. Who is thought to have been buried in the ship, and what happened to his remains? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Long thought to be an insignificant, smallish cave near the famous Carlsbad Caverns, Lechuguilla Cave is now recognized as the deepest limestone cave in the US and the world’s fifth longest cave. It was only in 1986 that cavers digging through rubble at the floor of the cave discovered its expansive network of more than 120 miles (193 km) of passages. The cave is famous for its rare geological beauty, featuring gypsum chandeliers, hydromagnesite balloons, helictites, soda straws, and what else? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ethelred was about 10 years old when his half-brother, the King of England, was murdered—possibly by Ethelred’s advisors. He took the throne in 978 CE and reigned for nearly 40 tumultuous years. Danes began attacking the coast of England while he was still a teen. He failed to mount an organized defense against them, and his later massacre of a Danish settlement provoked more attacks. Though often translated as “unready,” Ethelred’s epithet, “Unraed,” may have in fact been a pun meaning what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Kirishitan were Japanese converts to Catholicism in the 16th and 17th centuries. Missionary activity began in Japan soon after Portuguese shipping arrived in 1543. By the end of the century, the Japanese Christian community had grown to about 300,000—the largest non-European Christian community in the world. In 1614, Christianity was banned. Despite the threat of execution, some Kirishitan maintained their religion in secret. What tactic did the government use to expose suspected Christians? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary