One key element is the ancient burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. They are the source of the mystery. Another is the apparitions that people claim to see, often described as shadowy or in old - fashioned clothing. The spooky atmosphere of the site, especially at night, is also important.
Well, first off, the Sutton Hoo site itself is a major element. It has a sense of age and mystery. Then there are the tales of people seeing things that seem out of place, like figures that look like they're from the Anglo - Saxon era. The lack of modern - day distractions in the area also plays a role. It's quiet and somewhat isolated, which adds to the feeling of the unknown. And the fact that the history of Sutton Hoo is not fully understood in some ways. There are still mysteries about who was buried there and what their lives were like. This uncertainty feeds into the ghost story, as people's minds fill in the gaps with supernatural explanations.