Conserving a snapshot of the past: Sutton Hoo, Suffolk

This article is from Current Archaeology issue 406

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Some of the most famous photographs of the1939 excavation of the Sutton Hoo ship burial were taken by two women, Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff (see CA 374). This October, part of Mercie’s personal collection relating to the dig was conserved in front of modern visitors to the site.

The collection, which comprises photographs taken by Mercie and Barbara during their visit to the excavations between 8 and 25 August 1939, as well as newspaper clippings covering the discoveries, was recently given to the National Trust (which cares for Sutton Hoo) by Mercie’s great-nephew, Andrew Lack. Its contents help to complete an earlier set of photographs from the archaeological investigations that had been given to the National Trust in 2018. These were also conserved in front of the public at that time.

Commenting on their conservation, Laura Howarth, Archaeology and Engagement Manager at Sutton Hoo, said: ‘The new items reinforce many of the things we already knew about the dig, as well as highlighting the two photographers’ different thought-processes. If we go through Mercie Lack’s collection, her work is very neat and ordered. In fact, it’s possible that she used these as part of her portfolio to become inducted into the Royal Photographic Society, although we can’t be sure. With Barbara Wagstaff, many of the photographs show her right in the middle of the action.’