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We’re now days away from @Netflix’s #TheDig, which explores the 1939 excavation of the Great Ship Burial @NT_SuttonHoo. The film is based on a book that’s inspired by real events and real people. Take a look at our thread 
for the incredible true story…
British Museum
for the incredible true story… British Museum
EDITH PRETTY moved to Sutton Hoo in 1926 with her husband. She instigated the first excavations in 1937, which would become one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. In an outstanding act of generosity, she gifted the collection to the nation.
National Trust
National Trust
ROBERT PRETTY was Edith’s son, he was only four when his father passed away. He was excited by the dig and was seen excavating around the site with his toy spade. A later excavation in 1987 uncovered a pair of his roller skates buried in the soil from back in 1939.
Josh Ward
Josh Ward
GUY MAYNARD, curator of Ipswich Museum, visited Sutton Hoo and set the wheels in motion to explore the site. Little did he know that what would be unearthed, would completely transform our understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period.
British Museum
British Museum
BASIL BROWN was a self-taught archaeologist, born and bred in Suffolk. His father, a farmer, passed on his knowledge of soil. It was his work as an archaeological contractor for Ipswich Museum that brought him to Sutton Hoo.
British Museum
British Museum
WILLIAM SPOONER & JOHN JACOBS were Edith’s gamekeeper and gardener, who helped Basil excavate. Just three days into the dig in 1939, John found a piece of iron that was identified as a ship rivet, from what would become known as the great ship burial.
British Museum
British Museum
CHARLES PHILLIPS was an experienced archaeologist from Cambridge who following the discovery, was placed in charge of proceedings. He maintained a good relationship with Basil throughout and assembled a strong team of archaeologists to assist with the dig.
British Museum
British Museum
PEGGY & STUART PIGGOTT were husband and wife and formed part of Charles Phillips dig team. Peggy’s skills as an excavator made her a natural choice for the dig and she was the first to discover gold at Sutton Hoo.
British Museum
British Museum
MERCIE LACK & BARBARA WAGSTAFF don’t feature in the film, but it was these two amateur photographers who were on holiday in the area, that captured an amazing 400 images of the dig site.
British Museum
British Museum
By July 1939 the story hit the headlines, security was heightened and the last of the treasure was bound for the British Museum. As war was declared the dig came to an end and the treasure stored in London underground stations for safe keeping.
You can read the full story of the amazing discovery here > https://bit.ly/TheTrueStoryBehindTheDig
British Museum
British Museum
